Celestial Citizen Ep. #216: A New Generation of Science Communication
On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Maynard Okereke to discuss his work as a science communicator, the importance of engaging minorities and youth in science and S.T.E.M. fields, and how to create content that brings together education and entertainment in ways that resonate with a wider audience.
Maynard, better known as the Hip Hop M.D and creator of the Hip Hop Science platform, graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in civil engineering. He is an award-winning science communicator, having received both the Asteroid Award for “Best Streaming Content” and the People of Change Award for his community outreach efforts. His passion for science and entertainment, along with his curiosity for new innovation has taken him through an incredible life journey.
Noticing a lack of minority involvement in the S.T.E.M. fields, Maynard created Hip Hop Science with the goal of encouraging minorities and youth to pursue more advanced career paths. His background in engineering, acting, business, and credible work within the music industry as an artist, make him uniquely qualified to engage on a wide variety of topics from an entertaining perspective. This is highly reflected in his weekly vlogs and daily social media posts which provide both humorous and informative #SciComm content.
Maynard’s distinct personality, energy, and enthusiasm for science have made him a key contributor to the educational understanding of a wide range of communities.
His creative storytelling and ability to host, moderate, and engage with audiences has sparked collaborations with the Natural History Museum, the La Brea Tar Pits, as well as, tech companies like Not Impossible Labs, ICVR, and Scan Truck.
He looks to continue his work with universities, students, and communities doing more S.T.E.M. outreach and diversity initiatives to help propel the next generation into the scientific frontier.
