College students are conducting several different experiments in the physical laboratory located on the ground floor of East College. This photograph appeared in a booklet which described the Bucknell Academy for the purpose of recruiting students. Included in the booklet were photographs and descriptions of several resources which were used by students attending the academy. The booklet was published sometime between 1912 and 1915.

The teaching of physics had changed greatly since 1895 when William G. Owens had taught both physics and chemistry. In 1915, Frank Morton Simpson, Class of 1895, was Professor of Physics. He had received his first appointment with the University in the Academy in 1900. In 1902, he was appointed an Instructor in the College, "….giving one third of his time to the College…." to teaching courses in mechanical drawing and descriptive geometry. In 1905, he was promoted from "Instructor in Drawing and Physics" to Assistant Professor. He became Professor in 1908.

In January 1914, President Harris informed the Trustees that classes were quite large in mathematics and physics and that "an instructor in that line will be needed next year," and in the following January he cautioned that if the class entering in the fall of 1915 was as large as 200 that an additional instructor would be needed in physics.

In 1915, General Physics, courses 23-25, three term courses were "...required in the Engineering Courses" and were "...elective in the other Courses." Instruction in these courses was "...given in the Laboratory, supplemented by recitations and lectures."

An emphasis was placed upon the use of the laboratory:

The Laboratory instruction extends through-out the year and includes experiments illustrating the general laws in all branches of Physics. The experiments are largely quantitative and use is made of instruments of precision. The work is entirely individual. The student is required to take notes in the Laboratory, elaborating them outside and presenting for criticism from time to time."

However, the laboratory wok was supplemented by recitations based on "...study of a text covering the theoretical side of the subject.." and " frequent lectures [were] given in which use [was] made of lecture-room apparatus" through which "[a]ll important phenomena [were] illustrated and experimental demonstration of the principal laws [were] presented."

Courses 23-25 were a prerequisite for Advance Physics, courses 26-29, in which "...students [were] instructed in the use of instruments of precision employed in Heat, Light, Electricity, and Magnetism." The Instruction in these courses was also given in the Laboratory:

The work in the Laboratory is supplemented by written reports in which both general and theoretical results obtained are discussed. These reports afford the basis for criticism of the work. The work must be pursued in such order as the appointments of the Laboratory may require.

In 1915, all of the courses in physics were listed under the Department of Mathematics as was Professor Simpson..

"...giving one third..." BT '82'-'20, p. 190 (6/17/1902)

"an instructor in that..." BT '82-'20, p. 294 (1/8/1914)

"...required in the Engineering..." and all the other quotations in this paragraph, CAT '15-'16, p. 75

"The Laboratory instruction extends..." ib.

"...study of a text..." and all the other quotations in this paragraph, ib.

"...students [were] instructed..." ib., p. 76

"The work in the..." ib.

The major source for the information on this page is the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Bucknell University, 1882-1920 (BT '82-'20). Additional sources are the Bucknell University Bulletin (Fourteenth Series, January 1915, No. 4) Catalogue 1914-1915 (CAT '14-'15) and the Bucknell Uinversity Bulletin (Fifteenth Series, January1916, No. 4) Catalog 1915-1916 (CAT '15-'16).