Professor Christopher Emdin and JN Foundation has launched a new learning project called “Dancehall Meets Science” #DancehallEd.
Dancehall has been getting a lot of fight in Jamaica since the start of the week with PM Andrew Holness calling for dancers to stop “Daggering” and Minister Lisa Hanna’s recent suggestion to ban Vybz Kartel on the airwaves, so this news comes at a great time.
The project was officially launched yesterday at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, Jamaica, Dancehall Diva Tifa and Wayne Marshall were present.
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“Dancehall Meets Science” will use the genre to help promote science to grade nine students with a series of dancehall clashes using only science and mathematical content at over twenty schools across the island. “There is declining academic interest and performance in science and maths, and this is something that we need to address as a matter of urgency, even as we speak about improving our economic outcomes,” The JN Foundation said.
Jamaica National Group senior manager, learning, development and culture, Dr Renee Rattray, will be leading the Science Genius Jamaica project. “Our Science Genius Jamaica competitions will mirror the clashes we are already familiar with in the Jamaican dancehall, as individual students and teams participate in an opening round. The top five students and teams from that round will move to the final round,” Dr Rattray said.
