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Dropping Science: Hip-Hop Message Resonates With Students

Teachers Hope Traveling Program Inspires Love Of Math, Science

POSTED: 11:36 am EST February 27, 2008
UPDATED: 12:34 pm EST February 27, 2008

NASA and Honeywell are providing students with a unique way to get into rhythm with young minds by utilizing hip-hop music.

The program, which was presented Wednesday at Howe Academy on Indianapolis' east side, uses songs and videos to turn Newton's three laws of motion into an interactive science lesson for children, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

The program, called FMA Live, is short for force equals mass times acceleration. Educators said the message resonates with students because it relates to them in a way they can easily remember.

"It was great … really got in context with us," said student Shamar Benson. "A lot of kids really didn't know that the three laws were until they broke it down for us."

The touring science concert incorporates interactive experiments. Will Heise, an eight-grade student, helped demonstrate inertia using a giant, sticky wall.

"You get to have hands-on and your peers talk to you about it," Heise said.

A NASA study found the number of students planning to pursue science-related careers is declining while job opportunities in science, math and engineering are increasing at a rate three times that of other occupations.

The hope is that the program will inspire future scientists, engineers and educators.

"As a teacher, we can tell them each and every day. We use this in every day life," said Brian Burke, the school's assistant principal. "When they actually see it on stage and in the setting we're exposing them to, I think it creates a unique learning experience."

The program didn't cost Indianapolis Public Schools or Howe Academy anything. It was fully funded by Honeywell.

More Info: fmalive.com

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