As I write, I’m listening to what has to be the most unusual CD I’ve ever listened to.  It’s called “Dr. Al and Craig in The Scientific Method” and believe it or not, it’s rap.  Pretty cool rap, at that.  And if you’ve ever wondered about how you could get your kids to sit up and be interested in school, I think I’ve discovered the way.

The CD comes with a workbook and it’s put out by Dr. Al: Science Education Services, LLC.  The one I’m listening to is the first in a series of science review workbooks for middle and high school students.  On the CD and in the workbook, a new and sure to be successful, approach is used to explain the scientific method.  Included in the back of the workbook are science questions, a practice test, and answer key.

But let me tell you a little about the author.  Dr. Al is Dr. Alvin C. Harmon, PhD and President of Science Education Services, LLC.  Dr. Harmon graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.  He finished his studies at Georgia State University, becoming the first African American to receive the Doctor of Philosophy in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience from that university.  During his graduate studies, Dr. Harmon read an article stating that 60% of African Americans fail the science portion of their exams.  Determined to be part of the solution to this staggering problem, he became a volunteer science teacher in a program designed to help students receive passing scores on national science tests.  As a result, 80% of the students that participated passed the science portion of their high school graduation tests.  Dr. Harmon then developed his series of CDs and workbooks.

In short, this science story is about a class discussion between Dr. Al and the rest of the class.  The main character is Craig.  Craig is not afraid to ask questions despite the fact that he is surrounded by his peers.  Dr. Al, Craig, and the rest of the class have a good time and an interesting class discussion about the scientific method.

Today, our children are flunking school.  It is very disturbing to me when I think about how many kids aren’t even interested in school, much less excelling.  What they are interested in is music.  Rap, in particular, has become a staple of the typical teenager’s music diet.  Dr. Al has provided a novel way to combine rap and teach science that’s sure to be a hit with today’s teenagers.  And the great thing about it is that Dr. Al has three more CD/books coming out on Photosynthesis, Data Interpretation, and Genetics.  I can’t wait to get a copy of those!  Someone has finally come up with a way to reach some of today’s lost teenagers and that someone is Dr. Al!

I’ve included the e-mail address below on how to purchase these workbooks.  Harmon Science Helpers promises to ship your order within 48 hours of receiving your payment.

www.harmonsciencehelpers.com

HarmonScienceHelpers@hotmail.com

Dr. Alvin C. Harmon is currently a post-doctoral research fellow at Emory University School of Medicine in the Department of Pharmacology and teaches science on the collegiate level to freshmen and sophomores.