The Use of Battle Rap As a Way to Engage Students in STEM Jamie Parker Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy under the Executive Committee of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2020 © 2020 Jamie Parker All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT The Use of Battle Rap As a Way to Engage Students in STEM Jamie Parker This qualitative, multi-case study examined the process of lyric creation and nontraditional modes of communication (using themes from hip-hop and battle rap) as a mechanism for developing a teaching and learning strategy in STEM education. This manuscript style dissertation, examines the experiences of 24 postsecondary students and five battle rappers who created science-themed lyrics, used them as a learning strategy, and delivered content in a college and community setting. Insights into teaching and learning were revealed through the study of these lyrics from a constructivist and intellectual warrior theoretical framework. This research showed that as a result of utilizing battle rap, learning spaces were improved. Students’ interviews, lyrics, and reflections uncovered that they appreciated the opportunity to be more creative in class were more engaged, communicated and networked more than they did in their traditional science classroom. The battle rappers discussed and displayed the characteristics that allow them to engage audiences in hopes that teachers can learn how to incorporate engaging techniques within their own classrooms. Through interviews and a performance, battle rappers’ attempt to keep students engaged revealed their transparency; ability to freestyle; get hyped; and demonstrate charisma, presence, character, and energy. This information helped to explain, describe, and understand the experiences of both students and battle rappers and their potential relationships to science and the community. This work supports arguments for the use of culture (art/music/experiences) through music in the science classroom. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ..........................................................................................................................vi LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .........................................................................................................viii DEDICATION .................................................................................................................................x GLOSSARY ……………………………………………………………………………………xi Chapter I – INTRODUCTION............................................................................................1 My Story..………………..………………………………………………………..1 Background of The Problem Retention…..……………………………………….7 Teacher Development ..............................................................................................7 Engaging Students .................................................................................................12 Cultural Engagement .............................................................................................15 Research Questions ................................................................................................18 The Focus and Organization of this Dissertation ..................................................18 Chapter II – LITERATURE REVIEW ..............................................................................21 The Current State of STEM Education in the United States .................................21 History of Music in Education ...............................................................................26 History of Hip-hop .................................................................................................29 Battle Rap ..............................................................................................................30 Science Content-based Music ................................................................................35 Benefits of Music ...................................................................................................36 Rhythm ..................................................................................................................37 !i Brain Anatomy and Functionality ..........................................................................37 Memory and Mnemonics .......................................................................................39 STEM and STEAM ...............................................................................................41 Science Genius ......................................................................................................46 Barriers to Learning ...............................................................................................49 Underutilized Time Before Class ..........................................................................50 Competitive Speech (Argumentation, Forensic Discourse, and Debate) ..............51 Battle Pedagogy .....................................................................................................53 College Students ....................................................................................................55 Diversity ................................................................................................................56 Engagement vs. Content ........................................................................................57 The Mental Health of Future STEM Professors ....................................................60 Being Black in America .........................................................................................61 Conceptual Framework ..........................................................................................64 Cultural melding: A new age of Reason ................................................................64 Constructivism .......................................................................................................66 Intellectual Warrior ................................................................................................67 Chapter III – METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................72 Rationale for Qualitative Research Design ...........................................................72 Rationale for Case Study Methodology .................................................................73 Methodology ..........................................................................................................75 Data Collection ......................................................................................................75 !ii Data Analysis .........................................................................................................76 Validity...................................................................................................................79 A Study in Two Parts .............................................................................................80 Chapter IV – THE USE OF BATTLE RAP TO EXPLORE NEW WAYS OF ENGAGING STUDENTS IN STEM AND SCHOOL .........................................81 Abstract ..................................................................................................................81 Introduction ...........................................................................................................81 Conceptual Framework ..........................................................................................85 Research Questions ................................................................................................88 Methods .................................................................................................................88 Battle Rap Professionals Setting ............................................................................88 Professional Battle Rap Procedure ........................................................................89 Professional Battle Rap Data Analysis ..................................................................90 Battle Rappers Findings .........................................................................................91 Part 1. The Battle Rappers and Their School Experiences ...................................91 The Four Battle Rappers ........................................................................................91 Criticality About Schooling ...................................................................................93 Financial And Mental Stability ..............................................................................97 Promotes Academic Engagement ........................................................................100 Develops Effective Communication ....................................................................104 Part 2. The Battle Rappers Performance .............................................................107 Unexpected Event ................................................................................................107 !iii The Battle ............................................................................................................107 After The Battle Performance ..............................................................................108 Battle Rappers Discussion ...................................................................................109