Christopher Emdin is an assistant professor of science education and director of secondary school initiatives at the Urban Science Education Center at Teachers College, Columbia University. He holds a Ph.D. in urban education with a concentration in mathematics, science and technology; a master’s degree in natural sciences; and a bachelor’s degree in physical anthropology, biology, and chemistry.
His book, Urban Science Education for the Hip-Hop Generation is rooted in his experiences as student, teacher, administrator, and researcher in urban schools and the deep relationship between hip-hop culture and science that he discovered at every stage of his academic and professional journey. The book utilizes autobiography, outcomes of research studies, theoretical explorations, and accounts of students’ experiences in schools to shed light on the causes for the lack of educational achievement of urban youth from the hip-hop generation.
2014 White House "Champion of Change" - African American History Month STEM Access And Diversity
Christopher Emdin is among ten individuals honored for their work in supporting and accelerating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities for African American students, schools and communities. Click here for more.
BOOK REVIEW EXCERPTS:
"A must-read for all educators, particularly science education teachers who serve asinstructors in any STEM (science, technology,engineering, mathematics) related fields. Although this work is geared towards scientists, those who work as social science educators can consider ways of expanding their teaching methodologies as a result of internalizing this book. Christopher Emdin is to be applauded for his unwavering commitment to improving achievement for all students, particularly minority students." -- education review // reseñas educativas (Nov 2011)
"And if I dare say so, Dr. Chris Emdin might be best described as the Godfather of Hip-Hop Education ... He’s a science educator and focuses on how to engage youth and hip hop audiences in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Just. Pure. AWESOMESAUCE! I tell you." -- DNLee, in her blog The Urban Scientist, at blogs.scientificamerican.com
"Provides a fascinating look at some of the reasons for the disconnect between science educators and urban youths that goes beyond other works focused on urban youths ... Emdin adds an important perspective to the growing discourse on the role of the student and student culture in science teaching and learning. As students and teachers continue to struggle in urban schools, and educational researchers probe for answers, understanding “hip-hop and its relation to science” (p. 116) can serve to make sense out of complexity and positively transform urban education." -- Democracy & Education, v.20, no.1, 2012 Spring (ISSN: 1085-3545)
"Interesting and worthwhile reading for any progressive educator keen to promote curricula and pedagogies that recognize, affirm and utilize the cultural practices of urban youth as a means of assisting them in gaining meaningful and productive access to science education. It skilfully utilizes autobiography, research findings, theoretical argument, references to rap artists and quotations from their music, together with stories about some of the students with whom Emdin has worked, to explore the root causes of educational underachievement and disengagement from school among young people in inner city communities and to proffer a robust curricular alternative." -- International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, October 2011
