Instead of spaces where scientific theories and formulae are tested, science labs in 12 high schools across the country have been transformed into places where a different kind of experimentation is taking place. In recent weeks, they have become recording studios of sorts for young prodigies in the JN Foundation’s Science Genius Jamaica project.

The initiative’s team recently began their tour of the mix of traditional, non-traditional, urban and rural schools across the country participating in the competition, assisting students and teachers, sometimes with help from mentors, dancehall artistes Tifa and Wayne Marshall, to hone their songwriting skills and stagecraft, as they pen and perform dancehall songs of purely science-based content.“It’s been very exciting to watch how engaged the students have become in learning,” observes Science Genius Jamaica project coordinator Chevanese Peters.“And we have seen where it has created a ripple effect in each of the schools, in which students are teaching themselves and teaching others; and they are being influenced to do the research,” Peters says.The presence of Tifa and Wayne Marshall helps to raise the seriousness of the initiative, she explains, as their attendance at workshops have been encouraging pupils and even their teachers to do their best.“They try to get it perfect, but we’re not expecting perfection. We really want to ensure that students are grasping and understanding the scientific concepts that are being taught,” she maintains.However, the teachers, from both the science and music areas, are also growing as a result of the workshops, says Miss Peters.“Our teachers are discovering the approach, and they believe that dancehall and pop culture can in fact facilitate learning. Most of them are already dancehall fans, and if not, they believe in using what the students already know to get them to learn other things, which is a natural process,” she adds.“Some teachers may not be knowledgeable about lyrics and beats and so on, but they are ready to meet the students where they are.”“This is a new experience for me,” acknowledges general science teacher at Jamaica College (JC) Georgia Rudolph Blake, who wants to implement the approach across JC’s second form block. “And I believe it’s something we can incorporate in other subjects,” Blake surmises.At the launch of the project in February, dancehall DJ and mentor to the JN Foundation’s Science Genius Jamaica project Tifa exclaimed: “Music is so infectious…[and] we simply want teachers to be open-minded.”“Not everyone has the same religious beliefs and values. Therefore, not everyone is open to dancehall, but we can be creative and throw in a little dancehall, gospel or ‘singing’,” she quipped. “Eventually, the onus is on us to be creative, and in the process pass on the content of the subject to students.”Science Genius Jamaica is now gearing up to move into its competition phase this month, as the schools engage in lyrical clashes during what the project dubs a series of “BATTLES” (Bringing Attention to Transforming Teaching, Learning and Engagement in Science).The top five students and teams from the BATTLES will move to the final round. The students and their teachers will compete for cash prizes and other rewards.“In the short space of time, we are happy to note that students, and also the teachers are growing. The students are growing in knowledge, confidence and showcasing their talent, which some did not realise that they had,” Peters stated.