An advanced science class at Noblesville West Middle School has collaborated with their teacher to animate and produce an educational “rap” video about photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
NWMS seventh-grade science teacher Emily Crapnell made the first cell rap when she was student teaching in the spring of 2011.
“I just made it as a different way to engage students in the materials,” she said.
“Cells Part Two” is the sequel to “Cells, Cells.”
“It took a full year and a half to make the whole thing. We’re so excited to launch the video,” Crapnell said.
In 2013, the video hit one million views and is now at 2.3 million. In addition to creating the video, students are conducting a social media campaign to promote it on YouTube, and study how it spreads through various social media outlets.
“We’re hoping to hit a million views as soon as possible,” Crapnell said.
Crapnell said the project involved students creating the lyrics, singing, playing instruments, animating and filming it.
“It’s interesting to see what the seventh graders did and how they put their own spin on it,” said eighth-grade student Jaclyn Klinger who worked on the project last year.
Students proudly watched as the world premiere was held in the school’s cafeteria.
“It was really fun,” said seventh grader Abby Krent. “It was a lot of work. I didn’t think it would turn out as well as it did.”
In addition to having fun, Krent said the process to create “Cells Part Two” was educational.
“The goal is to teach kids more than they already know about cells,” she said.
The video may be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KZp7WfUfIs.
NWMS students involved with the project include:
Lyricists: Ashlyn Tucker, Jaclyn Klinger, Peyton Schofield, Jake Gerhardt, Emma Hoffsetz, Zach Lamantia, Wyatt Klueber, Alex Mattingly and Rheagan Baltz.
Vocalists: Abby Krent, Andy Buna and Ashlyn Caldwell.
Musicians: Mark Miller, Kelly Reagin, Katie Bowersox and Abby Krent.
Animation: Molly Pfunder, Andrew Lighty, Ethan Clark and Nick Stuckwisch.
Filmmaking: Kenzie Chay, Seth Carcare, Edgar Fuentes, Russell Kosschuck, Isabella Keller, Isaac Stephan, Jay Overlin and Jacob Beach.
