Hip Hop and Science at Duke

[Duke Chronicle Article]

CIEMAS brings hip- hop to middle school

Leigh Wilson
Posted: 9/29/06

Hip-hop and science may seem like an odd pair, but students from Githens Middle School found yesterday afternoon that the two actually "mix" quite well.

Students participated in an interactive performance called Mix Tapestry Thursday that used the technology of Duke's Fitzpatrick Center for Interdisciplinary Engineering, Medicine and Applied Sciences studio along with hip-hop lyrics to inspire them to pursue educational opportunities in science and technology.

Middle school students at the University of Illinois were able to participate via the Internet, as well.

Robi Roberts, also know as J Bully, is a hip-hop artist and adjunct faculty member at Duke who performed his original rap, "Lemonade." The song encourages students to pursue an education with lyrics such as, "get your bachelors, your masters, and your doctorate. It's there if you want it. You're the only one stopping it."

As students danced along, the motion of their dancing was captured by webcams around the room, and computers turned this motion into sound, transforming the studio into a space that could be "played" like a musical instrument.

Roberts stressed the importance of combining student interests with a positive message.

"If you get students involved using something they're into, they are much more likely to remember the experience," he said.

Kitty Brawley, the 8th grade councilor at Githens Middle School, also spoke out about the importance of these types of experiences for students.

"Our students don't do well in traditional classrooms all the time, so the opportunity to be interactive helps them to get excited about education."

Ginny Darnell, an elective math teacher at the school, also confirmed the effectiveness of the project for students.

"A fun technological exposure will allow them to know that [technology] is here to help them broaden their horizons," she said.

The students expressed a desire to hold a variety of different occupations such as a pediatrician, an artist, a lawyer, a basketball player, a cosmetologist and a police officer in the future.

The project Thursday helped them to see that both science and technology will be important in any of these jobs, said Rachael Brady, director of the Visualization Technology Group and the coordinator of the event.

"The idea is to make science and technology relevant to the African-American culture through an instance of their culture," Brady said.

"It shows that everybody, even rappers, need to learn these things so they do too," she added.

The experience also encouraged the students to spread the message about the importance of technology to other student as well.

"It helped me want to help get others involved now that I have had a chance to be involved myself," said Jessica Lunsford, a student from Githens Middle School.

Matthew Etherington, who teaches at the nearby Camelot Academy, heard about the performance from a parent of a student who works at the University.

Etherington requested his students be allowed to participate at the studio as well.

"I've been teaching my high school students music technology mainly using [the Apple program] GarageBand and they have been creating their own pieces," he said. "This seems like an interesting way for them to see how interactive and applicable the music technology they are learning about can be."

3rd Grade Immigration (March 2005)

[Milton Academy News Article]

Grade 3 Students Explore the History of Immigration



Third graders performed skits and songs at their recent Immigration Assembly. Discovering the history of immigration through music, role-play, poetry, and art gave the children a unique perspective on the topic. A highlight of the production was a performance of Julie Gold's song, "Good Night, New York"—sung to a backdrop of movies and images that reflected the lyrics. Click here to listen to this performance.

Lower School Holiday Sing (Dec 2004)

[Milton Academy News Article]

The Lower School Presents Holiday Sing Concert



Under the direction of Matthew Etherington, the Lower School presented its annual Holiday Sing concert on December 14. Principal Annette Raphel welcomed the audience to the standing-room-only event, and thanked families for 100 percent participation in the School's major fund-raiser, Swap-It.

Grades 3-6 performed holiday songs from different traditions, while Lower School alumni returned to the stage to join current students for the finale. Ted Whalen and Gary Shrager accompanied the student performances.
[View Photos]

Desmond Tutu Award Performance

[Milton Academy News Article]

Milton Academy Students Perform for Archbishop Desmond Tutu



On October 8, the Milton Academy Jazz Combo, under the direction of faculty member Bob Sinicrope, performed at the Second Desmond Tutu Award Celebration. The award ceremony included a presentation of the 2004 Desmond Tutu Award honoring actor Danny Glover for his commitment to social justice. Among those in attendance to enjoy the music of The Jazz Combo included Archbishop Tutu, Danny Glover, Lt. Governor Kerry Healey, and the South African cast members from The Lion King.

Summer Reading Assembly (Oct 2004)

[Milton Academy News Article]

Annual Summer Reading Book Assembly

On October 1, the Lower School held its annual summer reading book assembly. During the summer, each grade reads a different book. When school begins, teachers and students focus on interdisciplinary curriculum related to their book. In the assembly, students share something about their grade's books with the school - often in the form of related songs, drawings or oral presentations. "This is one of my all-time favorite assemblies," said Principal Annette Raphel.

2nd Grade Chinese Shadow Plays (Jan 2004)

[Milton Academy News Article]

Second Grade Presents the 19th Annual Shadow Plays

January 28, 2004 -In Kellner Performing Arts Center, second grade students presented four stories, each acted out in silhouette and accompanied by music performed also by second graders.

The children acted-out Bawshaw Rescues the Sun, Stone Soup, Toad Is the Uncle of Heaven and The Terrible Nun Gwama. Lower School faculty members Olga Mahoney, Dottie Pitt, Michael Bentinck-Smith and Claire Valle narrated. The second grade class gives special thanks to Matthew Etherington, Jenny Sorblom and Gary Shrager, as well as consulting Upper School faculty David Peck and Pam McArdle.

Lower School Holiday Sing (Dec 2003)

[Milton Academy News Article]

Lower School Celebrates Season With Annual Holiday Sing



December 16, 2003 - Under the direction of Lower School music director Matthew Etherington (pictured at piano), third through sixth grade students presented an evening of seasonal music. Don Dregalla led the Lower School orchestra - known as the "LSO," he quipped. Gary Shrager, co-director of the Saturday Course, and Ted Whalen accompanied the chorus, which performed pieces such as "Over the River and Through the Woods, "Hava Nashira," "I Rise" ( a Maya Angelou poem set to music) and "Silent Night" in its original German and with American sign language.