Presentation Title: Musical Pathways: How Hip Hop Music and Culture Can Bridge the STEM Gap for Under-represented Populations
Abstract: This presentation will focus on how to bridge the gap between STEM education and STEM related careers to under-represented populations through the use of Hip Hop. Many of today’s students need to see the diversity that can exist within STEM design and related fields. These students need to be able to identify with STEM within their world. This presentation will expose attendees to how they can use Hip Hop music and culture to connect the philosophy and the STEM design to engage under-represented populations to the world of STEM. The presentation will also focus on the four elements of Hip Hop culture and music and it uses the STEM design to address real world problems.

Biography: Damiso Josey is a graduate of Temple University, Scranton University and is in the process of earning his doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on the school-to-prison pipeline. He currently is an Assistant Principal at the Alder Avenue Middle School in Egg Harbor Township NJ. He also runs a non-profit organization called Arts Equality which provides creative outlets for high school students across the world.