Wu Tang Clan member GZA and Columbia Professor Christopher Emdin have teamed up with lyrics website Rap Genius in an effort to encourage students to learn through rap lyrics.
By mixing hip-hop together with science, the creators of the project try to engage those students that may not usually respond to traditional forms of learning. As Professor Emdin states, "If you don’t bring in youth culture in the classroom you are existing in a space where you are only putting in an established culture…(which) necessarily alienates someone."
Rather than making students write science papers, they have asked each to write rhymes about science. This allows students to spark their creativity as well as teach them about a subject that can sometimes be interpreted as dry. To sweeten the deal, the best rap will be published on Rap Genius.
The unorthodox teaching method is a project that with Professor Emdin’s continued passion, may be able to flourish into something revolutionary.
Scientific Rap Lessons
Students Get Schooled in Science Through the Use of Rap Lyrics
Trend Themes
1. Hip-hop Education - Using hip-hop in education to engage students in unconventional ways.
2. Creative Learning - Fostering creativity in students through alternative teaching methods.
3. Youth Culture Integration - Integrating youth culture into the classroom to create a more inclusive learning environment.
Industry Implications
1. Education - Disrupting traditional forms of education through unconventional teaching methods.
2. Music - Merging music and education to create new opportunities for both industries.
3. Technology - Using technology to enhance and distribute alternative education methods.