Rap-O-Matics: Catch the Beat of Science and Maths (lost Canadian children's educational film; 1991)

From The Lost Media Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Merch
Discord
Patreon
Forums
61-FR9xbHH.png

Rap-O-Matics logo taken from a textbook scan.

Status: Lost

Rap-O-Matics: Catch the Beat of Science and Maths (also called Rap-O-Matiques: Prenez le Rhythme des Sciences et des Mathématiques) is a short, 12 minute educational film created to encourages children (primarily girls) to keep their science and maths courses throughout high school[1], made in 1991 for Industry Canada for young students, around the ages 11-15.[2]

Synopsis

Rap-O-Matics is an educational rap video that was designed to encourage young students, especially girls, to stay in their science and mathematics courses while in school so that they can have a chance at a successful career in many different fields in their future. According to its official summary, the main character is a “daydreaming 15-year-old” named Kate whose current “passion in life” is rap music.[3] After encountering the leader of a rap group at a recording studio, they teach Kate that maths and science aren't just for “whiz kids” and that there are a "zillion" things she could do with her life, referring to the future career paths in here future, so long as she stays in maths and science, of course.

Background

The film was produced in 1991 by LRS Trimark for Industry Canada[4] and was produced by Hoda Elatwi and directed by Stewart Dudley. It was published by International Tele-Film Enterprises.[5] It was intended to be used by users including guidance counsellors, maths, science, art, and English teachers. As well as community organizers and outreach programs, according to a teacher’s guide. It was also released in both French and English.[6]

Availability

It was released on VHS and distributed to classrooms in 1991[7] by Chromavision International[8] along with a teacher’s guide. Outside of classroom use, it was also aired on TV with other, similar educational films.[9]

Both the videotape and the booklet were distributed in French and English[10] though neither of these can be found. It’s mainly known about through its documented use in various classroom settings. Despite it being created for young high schoolers, most surviving sources are from college and university lectures such as Brock University[11], for example, where it was discussed with other federal initiatives to encourage women in science and engineering. A majority of the known references to Rap-O-Matics come from Ontario, such as from uOttawa, Brock, and Carleton University[12] in various lectures on gender and education. However the film was mentioned in an October 1996 UN report on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)[13], which is just one of the many educational settings where it was relevant.

In volume 2 of the 2003-2004 Sources of Federal Government Information booklet, it is said that a “Recipients/Purchasers Assessment of Rap-O-Matics” exists containing "respondent opinions on the Rap-O-Matics video", "Personal information including: age, sex, and occupation", and "city, province, and postal code" the public's opinion, and more specifically, the opinions of the recipients/purchasers of the film that were interviewed. The surveying was done to provide Industry Canada officers with a "knowledge base on the uses and users of the Rap-O-Matics video and discussion guide.", as well as general knowledge of its impact and effectiveness, all for internal use. [14]

A listing for Rap-O-Matics and Rap-O-Matiques exists on the website for the Library and Archives of Canada showing that they have the original master and that it is possible to get a reproduction of the tape with permission from and credit to the National Archives of Canada.

Gallery

  • Textbook page from Women’s Education mentioning Rap-O-Matics.

    Textbook page from Women’s Education mentioning Rap-O-Matics.

  • Air time for Rap-O-Matics in the Squamish Times.

    Air time for Rap-O-Matics in the Squamish Times.

See Also

External Links

References

  1. ↑ 1991 Women's Education textbook volume 9. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  2. ↑ 1996 TERMIUM Plus database page on Rap-O-Matics. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  3. ↑ WorldCat listing for Rap-O-Matics. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  4. ↑ Library and Archives Canada listing. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  5. ↑ Listing from the University of Ottawa’s OMNI catalogue. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  6. ↑ 1992 Nova Scotia Expanding Choices teacher’s guide. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  7. ↑ Industry Canada 1990-1991 annual report. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  8. ↑ Springer Link listing for Research and Intervention Programs in Mathematics Education: A Gendered Issue. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  9. ↑ November 1992 Squamish Times newspaper. Retrieved 6 Aug ‘22
  10. ↑ Second WorldCat listing for ‘’Rap-O-Matics Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  11. ↑ Brock University January 1991 campus news letter. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  12. ↑ Carelton List of Initiatives. Retrieved 3 Apr ‘23
  13. ↑ October 1996 UN CEDAW report. Retrieved 3 Apr '23
  14. ↑ 2003-2004 Sources of Federal Government Information Retrieved 3 Apr '23
Retrieved from "https://lostmediawiki.com/w/index.php?title=Rap-O-Matics:_Catch_the_Beat_of_Science_and_Maths_(lost_Canadian_children%27s_educational_film;_1991)&oldid=232281"