UCLA Students Rap about Chemistry on YouTube
on July 2, 2010
Classroom Technology & Infrastructure
UCLA students rap in their "Chemistry Jock" video.
In organic chemistry class at UCLA, Professor Neil Garg gave his undergraduate students an extra credit assignment. But the assignment didn't involve doing a few extra problems.
Instead, 140 students worked together to create 61 music videos about organic chemistry. They threw out terms such as SN1, E2 and backside attacks as they rapped about chemical structures, reactions and synthesis.
"I’m proud of what the students have done," Garg told UCLA. "Many of them made very impressive videos, while learning chemistry and learning to work as a team. I was stunned by how creative the best of the videos are and how clever they are in incorporating the chemistry. I have heard very positive comments about them, including from a senior scientist at Abbott Laboratories, who said the videos are a wonderful way to enliven organic chemistry."
The most popular video, Chemistry Jock, has grabbed 4,823 views on YouTube so far with lyrics like this:
"I start to see the bonds; they're forming in my head
Alkene won't reduce? Try a catalyst instead
That's when it disappears; pi bond's delocalized
Make an enol, let it sit and watch that thing tautomerize"
Other popular videos include 99 Problems with 1,762 views and We in the Lab with 1,673 views.
The music videos sparked excitement in the students and helped them remember what they've learned in Chemistry 14D.
"Making the video was really fun," said Chemistry Jock member Kimberly Bui. "In all honesty, I know in 10 years I'm going to forget most of the classes I took, but I don't think I'll ever forget this class because we were given the opportunity to do something creative and educational."
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