Music Videos Combine Education, Entertainment
Since the launch of MTV in 1981 and Michael Jackson’s epic Thriller video in 1983, music videos have been an integral part of mainstream pop culture. And with the popularity of YouTube and social media sites today, music videos continue to be hugely popular. However, music videos are not just limited to the entertainment world.
Looking back to the 1970s, New York advertising agent David McCall observed that his young son was having trouble memorizing multiplication tables in school, yet knew the lyrics by heart to numerous rock songs. Thus was born Schoolhouse Rock!. Ask anyone who had grammar and civic lessons reinforced from the Schoolhouse Rock! music video series if they remember it and they will immediately start singing, “Conjunction junction, what’s your function…” or “I’m just a bill, sitting here on Capitol Hill…” Music can help build vocabulary and serve as a mnemonic device – a powerful educational tool.
Music is elemental to who we are as human beings. Music helps us feel good and feel connected to the larger world!
Water Rocks! seeks to bring STEM education to Iowa’s youth, particularly by combining technical, scientific concepts with music and the arts. And what better way to accomplish this than through music videos?
We are in the process of creating a Water Rocks! music video series that combines education and entertainment - using original, catchy tunes that teach about water, soil, natural resources, and more, combined with live video and/or animation. See the first five videos in the series HERE and on YouTube.
The Water Rocks! team has been working feverishly this summer on our new music video series, and we are excited to offer a preview of several upcoming videos to be released later in 2013:
Will U B the H 2 my O?
A high school romance with a twist… there’s true chemistry going on here! This is a classic love song with H having a serious crush on O. Two Conservation Pack members, Lily and Charlie, auditioned for the lead roles, but did not make the final cut. Our talented cast features a number Ames High School students, pictured above!
Human Landfills
Think about all of the garbage, tires, paper, plastic, aerosol cans, and metal scraps we throw out on a daily basis… it’s all connected. Travel back in time to the 1970s and prepare to get your groove on as we hear all about the saga of the human landfills in this video coming soon!
Cover Crop Anthem
Cover crops are a hardy group of plants - surviving the harsh winters of Iowa out in the fields, working hard to act as the Snuggie of the Earth, protecting our rich soil. For such hard core plants as cover crops, what musical genre would be more appropriate than heavy metal? Featuring driving vocals, dueling guitars and a dancing cover crop, this one is not to be missed.
Everybody Poops
Well, the title says it all… everybody poops. It’s a normal part of life like mama’s chicken soup. But what happens with that waste can have a big impact on our water, and water quality matters to every one of us. Consider yourself warned – this catchy tune will get stuck in your head, guaranteed!
While the videos are still in progress, you can hear the songs now – check out the Water Rocks! music player HERE. Each video will be posted here and on YouTube upon completion, along with accompanying free educational enhancement activities for students and teachers.