Educators' Evening: Towards An Aesthetic Pedagogy: Hip-Hop, Jewelry, and the Radical Imagination

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

4-7 pm

The entrance to the exhibition "Ice Cold" at the American Museum of Natural History, featuring diamond-encrusted bling owned by prominent rappers.
Alvaro Kedding/© AMNH

Join us on Wednesday, October 16, for an in-person event for educators celebrating our newest temporary exhibit, Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry.

The evening will feature a reception with drinks and snacks, followed by a talk from Dr. Christopher Emdin, Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Emdin is also the Senior Associate Director at the Edmund Gordon Institute for Advanced Study, Teachers College, Columbia University, and is the Director of Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at the STEAM DREAM and IdealLab. This exclusive event is an opportunity for teachers to view the exhibition, network with other educators, and learn how to use the new space with their students.

In this talk, Dr. Christopher Emdin explores the intersection of Hip-Hop culture, jewelry as a form of self-expression, and the radical imagination. Drawing inspiration from the Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry, which celebrates Hip-Hop's cultural influence through stunning jewelry worn by some of its most iconic stars, Dr. Emdin argues for an aesthetic pedagogy that integrates artistic expression with scientific inquiry, transcending traditional classroom boundaries.

This talk challenges educators to rethink the role of aesthetics and science in pedagogy, advocating for a teaching approach that not only honors students' cultural backgrounds but also integrates the arts with scientific and technological principles. Through this STEAM-infused lens, Hip-Hop jewelry becomes not just a marker of cultural influence but also a catalyst for radical educational innovation, where imagination and science converge to empower and transform learners.

Agenda

4-5 pm: Sign in and Reception
5-6 pm: Dr. Christopher Emdin's Presentation and Overview of the Exhibition
6-7 pm: Visit the Exhibition

This is a free event for K-12 teachers. One hour of CTLE credit is available.

 

Educators' Evening: Towards An Aesthetic Pedagogy: Hip-Hop, Jewelry, and the Radical Imagination is supported by the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation.