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Abby Weiss

Tyraine Ragsdale, known by his DJ name, Master Scientist Grand Hank, has finalized the outdoor section of his upcoming science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) center on 501 E. Armstrong Street in Germantown.

The 2024 YouScience/Black Girls Do STEM “Black Students and STEM Report” found that the under-representation of Black professionals in the STEM field could discourage Black students from pursuing these careers. Ragsdale hopes to bridge that exposure gap.

The Glenside resident grew up in West Philadelphia’s Mill Creek housing projects and earned a chemistry degree at the University of Pittsburgh. He then worked as a research chemist at the Robert Wood Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, a division of Johnson & Johnson. He was one of the few scientists of color at his company, he said.

“A lot of times, when you’re the only person of color in these spaces, they’re not very inclusive. So, because of that, a lot of people shy away, or they decide that they’re going to take another route where they’re more represented,” he said.

As a chemist in the 1980s, Ragsdale wanted to increase Black representation in the STEM field. He found his calling while giving a talk to students through a visiting scientist program.

“I saw the kids … they were disengaged as I was speaking. And I started rapping, and when I started rapping, all the kids jumped on the edge of their seats, and they started rapping and singing,” he said. “That was the epiphany right there, that we could use music to teach science or to teach any subject.”

In 1989, Ragsdale founded Grand Hank Productions, Inc., a multimedia education company, to teach science to students in the region through music and entertainment, using hip-hop music, real-life demonstrations, and interactive workshops. He produced two weekly TV shows for middle and high schoolers: “The Science of Philadelphia” and “The Science Lab of Grand Hank,” which aired on the Philadelphia School District’s public-access channel, PSTV. The shows ran from 1996 to 2011.

He took his entertaining experiments and high-energy shows to dozens of venues, including the School District of Philadelphia, conferences, and on tours throughout the United States. On the road, he dreamed about having a retirement project that would outlive him.

Making science rock

In addition, there’s a studio, science lab, another concert stage, and photos of Ragsdale’s past performances — including those at The Met Philadelphia and The Dell Music Center — dotting the walls. Upstairs houses administrative offices, a lounge, and several classrooms (called “learning pods”), as well as stored high-tech equipment patiently waiting for opening day. Ragsdale hopes to recruit science teachers and scientists from the field to run programs.

“This is a legacy space. And when people walk through here, they’ll see pictures of scientists and all that on the walls that reflect the culture that we come from,” he said. “The goal is to show people how important science is, and it’s all around them. It’s in everything you do.”

https://www.metrokids.com/philadelphia-scientist-opens-stem-education-center

But his current mission is making STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education more accessible for underserved youth in Philadelphia. Ragsdale’s new Grand Hank STEM Center opened last month, offering K-12 courses in a variety of different subjects, with plans for courses in app development, robotics and culinary science.

“When I would go around the country, I saw the need for a dedicated space for students where they could have the opportunity to learn the concepts of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at a more fundamental level,” Ragsdale says. “Part of that also came from me not seeing a lot of people who were interested in STEM. One of my missions was to change that by presenting it in a way that’s more palatable. Students can feel and see that they are a part of STEM, and that STEM is all around them.”

Ragsdale grew up in Philadelphia and credits the education he received there as what launched his scientific career, so the Grand Hank STEM Center’s Armstrong Street location was chosen so he could give back to the same community that aided him in his youth.

Currently, there are plans for the center to hold a grand opening event and fundraiser Aug. 16. (The center’s staff are currently raising money for its HVAC system.)

“The goal is to have students see themselves as future STEM professionals, and to give them access to resources that can foster their interest in STEM if that’s what they’re interested in,” Ragsdale adds. “The ultimate goal is to create more scientifically literate citizens.”

https://metrophiladelphia.com/stories/philly-scientist-set-to-open-youth-stem-center-in-germantown,103072

Ragsdale says growing up one of eight children in public housing in the city’s Mill Creek section helped him value education as a tool to later succeed.

“Being a product of the public schools and a graduate of University City High School, I really had no interest in going to college,” Ragsdale said. “An advisor saw something in me that I wasn’t really paying attention to.”

After being convinced to attend college, Ragsdale attended the University of Pittsburgh where he struggled to pursue a career before deciding to “chase the sciences.”

“I was either going to be a chemist, physicist, a mathematician, or a computer scientist. And the beauty of it is, I wasn’t good at any of them,” Ragsdale laughed.

After choosing from the four options, Ragsdale pursued a career as a chemist. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Chemistry, but explains he discovered why his career lacked people from diverse backgrounds.

“The rigor of it is so challenging. The support systems are few and far between. And that was back in the 80s. I saw why people didn’t go in,” stated Ragsdale.

He also realized the pipeline for Black and brown people coming through his industry wasn’t robust.

“Science is all around us. We use it every day. We just don’t call it that,” Ragsdale said.

Things like brushing your teeth and using soap and water to wash your body are simple tasks that Ragsdale referenced involve using science through a “hydrophilic and hydrophobic” process daily.

This is when the ‘Grand Hank’ vision was officially born.

A former DJ, Ragsdale fused a hip-hop interactive background with science and embarked on sponsored tours for students K-12 across the country. During those tours, Ragsdale would perform science raps and conduct scientific experiments.

‘The Science Lab of Grand Hank Tour’ has been held annually since 2011.

Larger events were held at venues such as The Met Philadelphia in February 2024. This year, Ragsdale performed his annual tour locally at Tindley Temple Church in South Philadelphia.

The tour marked a major step forward for Ragsdale, bringing him closer to transforming an abandoned two-story building in Germantown into a space for his broader, institutional vision.

Located in the 500 block of Armstrong Street, the 10,000-square-foot premier science facility will soon open where Philly youth can take part in fun and educational events.

Thanks to a $100,000 donation from The Peak Tek Technology Corporation, it has helped launch renovations to establish the state-of-the-art analytical chemistry center.

“We’re building this facility to expose the community to the beauty of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” Ragsdale said.

The center will house robotics, an engineering space, video gaming, a computer lab, a video production facility, culinary kitchen, event stages and much more. In addition to the massive indoor space, The Grand Hank STEM Center will feature 8,000 square feet of presentation space outdoors.

“We can deliver all kinds of science in all kinds of ways,” Ragsdale added. “I want to make kids become presenters from the content that they learn.”

He encourages those who would like to donate to the project to visit ghstemcenter.com to learn more.

“You have the Franklin Institute that does a great job downtown. But now you have another space to learn science at the deepest level,” said Ragsdale.

New STEM Center – Philly scientist Grand Hank set to open 10,000-square-foot STEM center for youth in Germantown

June 09, 2025 – Philadelphia Tribune

https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philly-scientist-grand-hank-set-to-open-10-000-square-foot-stem-center-for-youth/article_f10b78df-04dc-47f8-a7ee-07b87937bab8.html

“How do the radio waves work? You turn the radio on and it’s on. Where does that signal get generated? And how does it get converted? How can we hear something all the way on the other side of the world? How can I talk to somebody like that? That’s fascinating if you put it in the right context.”

During Ragsdale’s years as a chemist in corporate America, he often noticed that there were few people in the profession who looked like him. This inspired him to create a fun and entertaining way to teach science, using music and everyday examples to make complex concepts accessible to Black children.

According to the 2024 Black Students and STEM Report, Black students across the U.S. have exhibited the aptitude for careers in science, technology, engineering and math, but don’t pursue them because of lack of exposure to the industry. Ragsdale aims to fix that.

“When I would first explain science to kids, they had a hard time paying attention,” he said. “It wasn’t until I started rapping that they got out of their seats and became interested.”

Ragsdale grew up in the Mill Creek housing projects in West Philadelphia and attended University City High School. In college, he eventually unlocked his hidden potential and pursued chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh. Despite initial struggles and a professor’s doubt, Ragsdale persevered after seeking tutoring.

Ragsdale knows maintaining the facility will come with a cost and is appealing to the public for donations to help finish the project.

“Now we’re going to ask for sponsorship,” he said. “The entire project is preparing for a public fundraising campaign and will launch a website ghstemcenter.org. There, people can donate, view the different programs, the renovation gallery, volunteer, and more.”

Give Me An S, T, E, M! Camden Students Science

March 21, 2025 – TAPinto.net (NJ)

Thousands Attend Black Book Fair

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Philly School District Partners with Scientist for STEM Event

Feb 27, 2024 – The Philadelphia Tribune

https://www.phillytrib.com/the_learning_key/philly-school-district-partners-with-scientist-for-stem-event/article_f62d5eb8-2247-5d5e-832f-59aa82f5d587.html

Nyshawana Francis-Thompson first met scientist and educator Tyraine Ragsdale, also known as Grand Hank, 17 years ago as a classroom teacher at John P. Turner Middle School in Southwest Philadelphia.

She remembered the impact Ragsdale’s visit had on her students so when the opportunity came for the School District of Philadelphia to partner with Ragsdale again, she couldn‘t pass it up. Francis Thompson is currently the school district’s chief of curriculum and instruction.

“I was an emotional support teacher at the time and we had a school assembly that featured Grand Hank,” Francis-Thompson said. “I had a classroom of 15 boys and one girl. I just remember their faces lighting up from that experience of seeing Grand Hank.

“A lot of the boys loved science and cooking,” she said. “They were really inspired by what Grand Hank was doing. When the opportunity came for us to partner with Grand Hank again almost 17 years later, we didn’t need convincing.

“We knew what that partnership would mean to our young people,” she added. “For them to see his work and to see a representation of a Black scientist. He also provides a level of rigor that he brings to the experiences. Everything that he is doing aligns with the work the district is doing with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).”

The school district is partnering with Ragsdale for the 16th annual Black History Month MEGA STEM event. The event will be held Feb. 28-29 at The Met and consist of live science demonstrations.

Each lesson will feature a biographical look at an African American scientist and inventor who influenced the science behind the experiment.

“We will take a scientist like Charles Drew and we will explain his bio to the students,” Ragsdale said. “We talk about the science and the medicine that he helped bring forth.

“That will then be followed by an experiment that is tied to him,” he said. “Not only will students know his name, but they will also know the theory of what he did because they were able to see an experiment about him.

“This is all about getting students excited about STEM,” he added. “We want them to be engaged and excited about getting up on stage. We want them to be excited about learning about science, physics, chemistry and engineering. We want them to see themselves in this field.”

In 2015, Ragsdale introduced the mega event to Philadelphia at the Dell East Music Center. The goal for the event was to provide students with a foundation of how STEM has evolved over the years and to introduce more students to scientists and inventors of color.

Ragsdale is a former research scientist of Johnson and Johnson. He founded the multimedia-education company Grand Hank Productions Inc. in 1989.

“I was a research chemist for the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute Division of Johnson and Johnson for a number of years,” Ragsdale said.

“While I was there, I realized that there was a shortage of African Americans in the area of STEM,” he said. “I wanted to figure out a way that I could do something about that. I also wanted to draw more students into the field.

“One of my goals has always been that if I had the opportunity to impact the lives of people centered around learning that I would,” he added. “I’m now able to do that through how I’m teaching STEM.”

In addition to the partnership with Ragsdale, the school district has also been doing their own efforts around STEM. Two years ago the district hired its first STEM curriculum specialist.

“He’s been tasked with building our internal infrastructure for what STEAM looks like in our district,” Francis-Thompson said. “He offers Tune Up Tuesdays where teachers across the district can join sessions and learn a wide range of information around STEAM activities.

“We received a grant from GSK and the grant focuses on ensuring Black and brown children and female students have access to STEM opportunities,” she said. “Through this funding, we provided professional development to teachers at select schools where we know there’s a low representation of STEAM support.

“We’re also providing materials to those schools to ensure that we open up opportunities and neighborhood schools that would not otherwise have these opportunities,” she added. “Another thing that we’ve been doing is building STEAM lessons into our ELA and math curriculum.”

Francis-Thompson said she hopes more district students go into the field of STEM in the future.

“The idea is for them to get an opportunity for careers in these particular fields,” Francis-Thompson said. “Even if they’re not getting access to the careers, they’re getting exposure and they’re opening up pathways in their brains to think in ways that they otherwise would not be thinking.

“We want to open up those pipelines,” she said. “Our students are more than capable of going into these pathways. We’re really trying to be very intentional about creating that pipeline for our young people to economic gains as well.”

How a North Philadelphia school is getting more students of color into STEM

Feb 06, 2024 – CBS News

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/north-philadelphia-school-getting-more-students-of-color-in-stem-grand-hank

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A North Philadelphia school is planting the seeds to make the next generation of scientists and engineers more diverse.

An initiative at Allen M. Stearne School is well underway to get students more involved in STEAM education, which stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math.

The school recently welcomed Grand Hank, a well-known scientist and educator, to provide a live science demonstration for students. 

Hank and the district are partnering to expose more students to STEAM careers while also highlighting the historical roles African Americans have played in the field. 

“So kids can understand who came before them,” Hank said, and how they have paved the way for people like him to become well-respected scientists. 

Now, Hank is hoping to inspire the next generation, “so that kids can see that they are in it. It’s people like me that are doing it,” he said. 

Hank and the district are trying to close the diversity gaps in STEAM. A 2021 Pew Research Center report found Black workers made up only 9% of the STEM workforce. Black students earned 7% of bachelor’s degrees in STEM during the 2017-2018 academic year. 

“We want to make sure as a school district we create those pathways for our students,” Nyshawana Francis-Thompson, who is the chief of curriculum for the Philadelphia school district, said.

Francis-Thompson said those numbers are why the school is creating a STEAM lab, which is expected to be finished in the next couple of months. 

READ MORE: Philadelphia educators discuss importance of inclusivity ahead of annual CBED conference

It’s important to give students access to skills that can set them up for the future, she said. 

“We want to continue to create the next generation of Black scientists, so exposing our young people to Black history, particularly focused on scientists, also allows them to see themselves and a vision of where they can possibly be,” Francis-Thompson said. 

Eighth-grader Khasir Phillips, who wants to an be engineer, said seeing Hank gives him the courage to continue to pursue a career in STEAM. 

He said that while he learned a lesson about science this week, he also got a lesson about life. 

“What [Hank] is doing is pushing us as Black people and different races of people to become whatever we want, and he is giving us hope while doing it,” Phillips said. 

Later this month, Hank will be teaching students from across the city and the suburbs about STEAM education. Learn more at GrandHank.com.

Scientist ‘Grand Hank’ inspires Philly students to delve deeper into the world of STEM careers

Feb 08, 2024 – WHYY TV / Philadelphia Tribune

https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/scientist-grand-hank-inspires-philly-students-to-delve-deeper-into-the-world-of-stem-careers/article_d4aeea43-f821-5a04-ab5d-ce75ff06c12b.html

On Tuesday at Allen M. Stearne School in Philly, eighth grade students were in awe as “Grand Hank” demonstrated different cool and innovative explanations of science.

Tyraine Ragsdale, affectionately known as the “Master Scientist Grand Hank,” is once again sharing his love of science and math with local students.

“I had a vision for this, that if we could just get to the masses and demonstrate to them up close and personal, so they can see, you can do this too. I’ve done it and I’m here to show you, you can do it,” said Ragsdale.

A former research chemist for Johnson & Johnson, Ragsdale founded Grand Hank Productions, Incorporated, a multimedia education company, in 1989.

Ragsdale, who said he grew up poor in Philly’s public housing, was motivated by a teacher in the district to pursue college and become a scientist. He now shares his story and his love of STEM through fun, hands-on learning workshops.

Ragsdale’s story stands as a living reminder that anything is possible; the scientist has had a profound impact on STEM education, reaching more than 10 million students, parents and teachers globally.

On Tuesday at Allen M. Stearne School in Philly, eighth grade students were in awe as Ragsdale demonstrated different cool and innovative explanations of science.

Eighth-grade student Khasir Phillips volunteered for one science experiment where Ragsdale said he would pull blood from the anxious student’s hand.

But it’s not what you think. There wasn’t any real blood, but Ragsdale asked Phillips to place his hand in a bowl, and while he counted down students began murmuring as Ragsdale warned students that Phillips’ hand would come out of the bowl, bloody.

“How does your hand feel,” Hank asked Phillips.

Phillips nervously replied, “It feels weird but a good kind of weird,” before telling the crowd he felt something happening to his hand.

A few moments later Ragsdale pulled Phillips’ hand out of the bowl and wiped it on a piece of paper, where red markings appeared.

The room of more than two dozen 8th-grade students erupted in “oooohs and ahhhhs” while Ragsdale wiped off Phillips’ hand and simply shared, “That’s how science works.”

More than a thousand teachers are expected to receive free classroom supplies and snacks across the U.S. thanks to the tour.

This is just one example of how Ragsdale engages young people in the School District of Philadelphia using cool real-life demonstrations to teach them about subjects that otherwise would be considered boring for some.

“It’s different from normal types of science. We don’t just sit down and learn something but instead you go participate and do something fun that interests you that’s why people start to like science more and more,”  said Phillips.

According to the district, nationally women constitute 50% of the college-educated workforce but comprise only 28% of the science and engineering workforce. Black/African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans make up 11% of workers in science and engineering occupations.

To improve these outcomes workshops like this matter.

School District of Philadelphia Chief of Curriculum and Instruction Nyshawana Francis-Thompson, aka Dr. Ny, says the district wants to change the trajectory and increase the number of students entering the field of STEM.

“We know that there is a particular underrepresentation of Black and brown students as well as women represented in the STEM field,” said Francis-Thompson.

Francis-Thompson said that underrepresentation is hurting the industry.

“We know that it’s less than 20% represented in those careers so we want to open up those pathways for our young people. We know they deserve it and we can do it,” she said.

And it’s working — Phillips first saw “Grand Hank” in action when he was in seventh grade, in a similar classroom setting. Phillips said that’s when he knew he wanted to pursue a career in engineering.

“I had an affinity for robots, but this really did push me to be more of an engineer,” said Phillips.

Black professionals only make up 9% of STEM workers in the United States according to Science News. Phillips said those numbers don’t discourage him.

“As a Black man, I feel like we should learn more. And not be discouraged by our color,” said Phillips.

Thanks to funding from the district, the classroom where “Grand Hank” did his demonstration at Allen M. Stearne School has been remodeled to provide a maker’s room for their students.

“I think it’s important that the neighborhood school gets a win,” said Principal Alphonso Evans, who shared that his students will now be able to have a space at the school for more full-time STEM-related learning and projects.

Evans says it’s a way to introduce students in North Philly to subjects they may have never considered in the past.

“I don’t think that parents need to send their children miles and miles away for them to get a phenomenal education and be exposed to what they deserve,” said Evans.

The goal is also to open a new pathway for students to pursue STEM-related professions.

The School District plans to continue these types of lessons for more students by utilizing “The Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective” for a $10 million program to increase diversity in students pursuing STEM Careers.

Ragsdale said he will soon  put his show on the road. The Grand Hank’s 16th Annual Mega Black History STEM Field Trip will invite students in K-8th grade to celebrate African American scientists and inventors through live STEM demonstrations set to music. There will also be a night session for families and students. The event will be February 27-28 at The Met in Philadelphia.

In the future, Ragsdale hopes to be able to also provide his lessons full-time with a center made just for students and STEM-related activities.

Ragsdale has begun renovations and construction of the new Grand Hank STEM Center for Inner City Youth. The venue, located adjacent to LaSalle University in Philadelphia, will be a place any student can go to work on their math and science exploration and skills. Ragsdale said he has raised more than $1 million and hopes to be able to raise an additional $200,000 to complete the project and open the center for area youth.

“The ultimate goal is to build a pipeline of a thousand scientists, in the next three to five years; that’s the ultimate goal,” said Ragsdale.

Scientist educator uses high-energy edutainment performances to teach STEM fundamentals to underrepresented kids.

July 10, 2018 – www.engineering.com/video-grand-hanks-hip-hop-science-shows

July 10, 2018 – Grand Hank, scientist, educator and entertainer, spoke with Engineering.com at the USA Science and Engineering Festival about inspiring young people to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Hank’s shows, which combine hip hop, science and lectures, were borne from his experience as an inner-city African-American kid trying to pursue a science career. When failing at chemistry in college, he asked for help from his teacher, who he was convinced didn’t like him—and was surprised when he agreed to become his tutor and mentor.

Hank wants to teach science fundamentals to students in a way that is inspiring, encouraging and entertaining—showing them that “it is difficult, it is challenging, but it is very doable and very rewarding,” he said.

Grand Hank talks about his journey from the housing projects to a career in science and his passion for educating kids like himself about STEM subjects.

Hank is passionately curious about seeing how someone who has never been exposed to science, nor shown interest in science, can become inspired by it—and trying to understand how to ignite that spark of interest.

He sees how inner-city kids believe it’s impossible to be a scientist and he wants to change them from “thinking of science as something that is out of reach … something we just don’t to, to [believing] ‘I can do this.’” He was the only African-American in his classroom and found students wouldn’t work with him; he is doing his part to make the field more inclusive.

Grand Hank answers questions about his passion for science and how to encourage underrepresented students to pursue science.

Grand Hank’s next project is a 25-city mega-tour that will bring massive audiences together to learn about the beauty of science. He thinks it could create a critical mass of interest and excitement about STEM. “If I see my peer doing it, I want to do it—just like in the rap concerts, where one person sings and everybody is singing.”

Read more about Grand Hank’s edutainment initiatives at his website.

‘Grand Hank’ of Glenside hosts two STEM shows for Elkins Park School students, Grand Hank STEM Center for Inner City Youth to open this summer

May 10, 2024 – Glenside Local

“Master scientist Grand Hank” (aka Tyraine Ragsdale), a 30-year resident of Glenside and a promoter of large STEM events for youth nationwide, paid a visit to Cheltenham School District’s Elkins Park School on Thursday, May 9.

Ragsdale said he was reunited with his longtime friend and principal Dr. Crystal Clark during the event, which featured two shows for fifth and sixth graders.

His daughter, DJ Tyrina R., attended Elkins Park and was reunited with her former teacher Mr. Smith.

In related news, Ragsdale has begun renovations and construction of the new Grand Hank STEM Center for Inner City Youth, located adjacent to LaSalle University in Philadelphia. He expects to open by late summer 2024.

A former research chemist for Johnson & Johnson, Ragsdale founded Grand Hank Productions, Incorporated, a multimedia education company, in 1989. For our previous coverage of the genesis of Grand Hank, you can click here.

For more information, you can visit his website and Facebook page. To learn about Grand Hank’s 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Knowledge Factory, Inc., you can click here.

The Philly Met welcomes Glenside’s “Grand Hank”

November 29, 2022 – Glenside Local

Glenside’s master scientist “Grand Hank” will present for Philadelphia audiences on Tuesday, December 6 at the 3,500-seat Metropolitan Opera House of Philadelphia.

Two presentations are scheduled: a 10:00am – 11:30am show for K-8 grade students and their teachers, and a 7:00pm – 9:00pm show which will be open to all ages. Doors for the second presentation will open at 6:00pm.

Both events are focused on closing the science education divide by creatively and musically introducing science as approachable, practical, and reachable as a career steppingstone.

“The dynamic and interactive science mega-shows are staged to help prevent the wave of violence in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. I know the pressures our kids face growing up in a world they can’t control,” Tyraine Ragsdale, aka “Grand Hank,” said.

Tyraine’s high-energy, interactive productions are a blend of science and hip-hop. The dynamic and informative productions have engaged a variety of audiences nationwide, from elementary students to corporate executives seeking to increase their STEM employment pipelines.

“As a product of the Philadelphia Public School System, I know that science put me on a path to want to learn more. I was engaged, educated, and inspired. Now it’s time for me to pass along the message that anyone can become a scientist and achieve their life dreams,” the University of Pittsburgh graduate and former Johnson & Johnson research scientist said.

To purchase tickets, you can visit www.grandhank.com. For the student matinee, school officials should call 267-249-5613 for group ordering and to request a Trip Packet. You can email events@grandhank.com or call for more information on the morning or evening family events.

Sponsorships and limited vending opportunities are available. For more on Tyraine’s background and path to the Met, you can read Glenside Local’s previous coverage here.

About

The Knowledge Factory Inc. 501(c)(3) was founded in 1998 to provide workforce development training and student-, teacher-, and community-based programs.

Grand Hank Productions, Inc. was founded in 1990 as a multimedia educational production company which develops television programs, products, and live events to increase student interest in education.

‘Anyone Can Be a Scientist’; Chemistry Fun Sparks Imagination for IJ Holton Students

October 24, 2018 – Austin Texas Daily Herald

Left to Right: Alex Coile, a sixth grader at IJ Holton, Tyraine “Grand Hank” Ragsdale, and Samuel Mata, a fifth grader, participate in a chemistry experiment Tuesday afternoon as part of a STEM-geared educational opportunity. Photos by Hannah Yang/hannah.yang@austindailyherald.com

Giant bubbles, voice changing experiments and smoke rings; chemistry came alive for IJ Holton students Tuesday afternoon.

Around 850 students sat inside the gymnasium while Tyraine “Grand Hank” Ragsdale conducted creative science experiments to engage fifth and sixth graders about STEM education and how even a “boring subject” can be cool. Even if a student isn’t necessarily great at science from the start, the point was to show that with hard work, “anyone can be a scientist,” according to Ragsdale.

“When I got to the University of Pittsburgh, I was scared of science,” he shared. “One or two chemistry tests I didn’t do well in. I share those stories with kids because you’re not gonna be great at it from the start, but you can become good at it.”

Read more at: https://www.austindailyherald.com/2018/10/anyone-can-be-a-scientist-chemistry-fun-sparks-imagination-for-ij-holton-students/

Grand Hanks Productions, Inc. is a multimedia educational, production company that was established to provide educational training and instruction to students, educators and administrators of grades K-12 through live and recorded production technologies, communications and marketing methods.

Ragsdale is internationally known as a STEM educator and worked as a research scientist for the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. The teaching methodology that he developed over the past 23 years, helped Ragsdale reach more than 10 million students, parents and administrators across the country and internationally.

“This was always a dream of mine,” he said. “There’s a vast problem in rural communities and urban communities where there’s not enough access to resources for STEM. It’s a long haul, but I wanted to show kids that you don’t quit and that you give yourselves an opportunity for success.”

Administrators praised Ragsdale’s performance by engaging students using different approaches such as live demonstrations as well as music that enriched their educational experiences.

“We were very fortunate to have (Ragsdale) come to IJ Holton,” said Principal Dewey Schara. “It fits in perfectly with our STEM education curriculum, and having our students think about post-secondary education. He did a phenomenal job, and keeping 850 students occupied for an hour and a half is a miracle.”

The overall experience was sponsored by The Hormel Foundation and with the American Petroleum Institute, which helped bring Grand Hank out to IJ Holton for the demonstrations. American Petroleum Institute Consulting Director Dan Gunderson shared that the assembly was also trying to foster an interest for STEM-centric professions so that students can consider entering a career field in the future earlier in their educational careers.

“We’re really wanting to engage students by the age of 12,” Gunderson stated. “They are more likely to succeed in post-secondary learning.”

Having Ragsdale as a role model in the field for IJ Holton students was intentional. According to Schara, now that the majority of Austin Public School students are of color, having role models in the STEM field  like Ragsdale was imperative for minority students to envision themselves as being successful as well.

From studies done by the Pew Research Center, minorities continue to be underrepresented in the STEM workforce, as well as women. Black STEM workers make up about 11 percent of the U.S. workforce overall, but represent 9 percent of STEM workers, while Hispanic workers comprise 16 percent of the U.S. workforce, but only 7 percent of all STEM workers.

“Our students need more role models who look like them,” Schara said. “This opportunity was absolutely perfect in targeting kids and families to consider a career in this field.”

Ragsdale also projected that in the future there will be a shortage of workers in the STEM industry and wanted to foster and create a love for the sciences so that younger students may enter the field through a “pipeline” to respond to shortages that may come.

He is also anticipating the opening of his science center in Philadelphia in early 2019 that would continue to educate the public about the wonders of STEM and how the world continues to benefit and advance through the work that scientists does.

“Science by nature is a catalyst that I use to energize kids,” he said. “It’s beautiful.”

Read more at: https://www.austindailyherald.com/2018/10/anyone-can-be-a-scientist-chemistry-fun-sparks-imagination-for-ij-holton-students/

Glenside’s Master Scientist Grand Hank presents at SciFest

October 20, 2022 – Glenside Local

Tyraine Ragsdale, also known as Master Scientist Grand Hank, is president and CEO of Grand Hank Productions, Inc. The former research chemist for Johnson & Johnson combines his passion for science, hip hop music, and multimedia production to to motivate and inspire under-served and under-represented students in STEM.

He recently presented at SciFest, a virtual expo program of the USA Science & Engineering Festival. Check out Grand Hank’s presentation on dry ice, which includes a series of experiments:

Middle-Schoolers learn about STEM

June 2018 – Rifle, Colorado Citizen Telegram

Nashville, Tennessee National Conference on Science

March 31 to April 03, 2016

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Local Scientist Builds Lab for Youth in Germantown

March 31, 2016 – The Philadelphia Tribune

“An Evening of Science, Education, & Hip Hop Music” at The Dell

August 14, 2015 – Westside Weekly

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Internationally renowned scientist Grand Hank and the Philadelphia School District presents – “An Evening of Science, Education and Hip-Hop Music”- Dell Music Center, Aug. 19

August 13, 2015 – The Philadelphia Sun

Grand Hank – The Master Scientist presents a back-to-school event designed to motivate, inspire and encourage our students to achieve their maximum learning potential this upcoming school year.

On Wednesday, August 19, Grand Hank Productions Presents “An Evening Of Science, Education And Hip-Hop Music” at The Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive. This high-energy, Back-To-School event features a proven multimedia approach that combines Science, Education, Music, and physical movement for total audience participation and promises a good time for the entire family. The one of a kind production is a novel approach to teaching and learning through event-based instruction.

The whole idea behind the show is to try and help young people remain interested in math and science. The United States is losing its competitive edge in these areas while the rest of the world soars ahead and because of this, the knowledge needed to fuel innovation and economic growth, is at risk. Studies show that children in urban communities in particular are losing interest in math and science. It is time to change these statistics. Grand Hank – The Master Scientist is a catalyst to help bring about that change, and spark interest in Science and Education through music entertainment just in time for the upcoming school year.

Doors open at 6:00 PM and show begins at 7:00 PM (Master Scientist hits the Stage at 7:45 PM). The even is free and open to the public. Premium and General seating tickets can be pickup up at The Dell Music Center.

For more information please contact Tyraine Ragsdale (267) 249- 5613 or email events@grandhank.com.

The Magic & Wonders of STEM

Feb 03, 2014 – Scoop USA

The Magic & Wonders of STEM

Jan 03, 2014 – Scoop USA

PITT Magazine

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Registration Opens for Grand Hank Science Demos

June 2009 – The Germantown Courier

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Chemist Uses Musical Formula to Teach Science

May 25, 2009 – The Philadelphia Inquirer

May 25, 2009 – The Bay State Banner – Boston MA

May 25, 2009 – The Pocono Record – Northern Pennsylvania

Tyraine “Grand Hank” Ragsdale Receives Carver Award

March 2009 – George Washington Carver Chronical

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Former PHA Resident Honored at Carver Science Fair

April 2009 – The PHA Experience

George Washington Carver Award Presented to Grand Hank

April 2009 – The Philadelphia Tribune

Rapping Chemist Uses Musical Formula to Make Science Likeable to Kids

March 25, 2009 – The Miami Times

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An Entertaining Chemist Proves Science Can Be Fun

March 17, 2009 – The Philadelphia Inquirer

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Making Learning Fun – Grand Hank Puts Spin on Science Class

Jan 16, 2009 – The Philadelphia Tribune

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Teaching Cool Chemistry – Science Guy Appeals to Kids with Hip Hop

April 25, 2008 – The Philadelphia Tribune

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Grand Hank Science Award in Chemistry

April 02, 2008 – The Philadelphia Tribune

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April 02, 2008 – The Philadelphia Tribune

Former Millcreek Resident now a Hip Hop Chemist

March 2008 – The PHA Experience

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Science Fair News

Jan 2008

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STEM Makes Science Interesting for Middle School Students

Dec 15, 2005 – South West Globe Newspaper

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Chemist Combines Hip Hop & Science

June 2005 – The PCCS Advocate – Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools

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Students have Fun while Celebrating Science

April 28, 2005 – The West Oak Lane – Mt. Airy Leader

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Cracking the Math Code Clinic

Dec 2004 – Teacher Links Magazine

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Message on Science comes Nicely Rapped

Philadelphia Inquirer

Tyraine Ragsdale, aka ‘Grand Hank,’ Combines Science with some Hip Hop

Jan 31, 2002 – The Philadelphia Tribune

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Chemist Has Concocted New Recipe for Success

Jan 21, 2002 – The Philadelphia Tribune

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“The Science of Philadelphia” Premiered on Comcast this Month

Oct 21, 2001 – The Philadelphia Sunday Sun

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Conquering Science and Math

Spring / Summer 2001 – Black Parenting Magazine

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Grand Hank and The Science of Philadelphia Interests Young Blacks in Science Curriculum

2000 – The Philadelphia New Observer

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Registration Now Open for Grand Hank Science Demos

Jan 14, 2000 – Mt. Airy Times Express

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The Educational Rap Lecture

June 1999 – Video Librarian

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The Educational Rap Lecture

April 1999 – The School Library Journal

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Grand Hank Scientific

Fall 1996 – Pitt Chemistry Reactions

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Rap Music & Science Good Chemistry for Young Students

March 10, 1996 – Muskegon Chronicle

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Special Programs Fire Thirst for Learning

Feb 07, 1996 – The Leader

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A Scientist Raps for Education

Jan 10, 1996 – The Philadelphia New Observer

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Educator Offers Alternative to Gangsta Rap

Dec 12, 1995 – The Philadelphia Tribune

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When Grand Hank Raps about Science, Kids Listen

Winter 1995 – Connecticut United for Research Excellence

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Hip-Hop Scientist

Oct 20, 1995 – Science World Magazine

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Rapping About Science

Sep 1995 – Jr High Ministry

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Researcher Raps to Show Science is Cool

March 1995 – Texas Society for Biomedical Research

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Hip-Hop Science

March 1995 – Dreamer News

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Rapping About Science

Feb 1995 – Teaching K-8 Magazine

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Chemist ‘Grand Hank’ Creates Rap Music Formula to Teach Science

Nov 24, 1994 – The Pittsburgh Gazette

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Selling Careers in Science

Nov 18, 1994 – The Jersey Journal

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Rapper Uses Music to Teach Science Themes

Nov 18, 1994 – The Intelligencer

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Rapper Uses Music to Spark Interest in Science

Nov 17, 1994 – The Advocate

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Some Rap about Dropping Science, but this Rapper Promotes it. Message on Math comes Booming.

Sun Oct 23, 1994 – The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Merck Mentor Program: Working Together to Strengthen Each Other

Oct 14, 1994 – The Daily at West Point, Blue Bell, & Union Meeting

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National Chemistry Week

Dec 06, 1993 – Chemical & Engineering News

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Celebrate National Chemistry Week at The Franklin Institute

November 1993 – School District of Philadelphia SRL News

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Down with Science

Nov 12, 1993 – The Philadelphia Daily News

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Grand Hank Helps Youth

Oct 26, 1993 – The Philadelphia Tribune

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Hip-Hop Chemist

Oct 1993 – National Technical News

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‘Grand Hank’ Blending the Chemistry of Rap into a Positive Message

Sep 13, 1992 – The Philadelphia Sunday Sun

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Reading Writing Rap

Summer 1993 – Connections News

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If Your Down with Education Stand Up!

The Philadelphia Tribune

The Chemistry of Rap

March 1993

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Rapper Takes Unique Message to the People

May 23, 1992 – The Philadelphia Tribune

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Rap Scientist Psychs Students into Furthering their Education

Dec 07, 1992 – Burlington County Times

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Young Entrepreneurs Conference Stimulates Youth to Do for Self

Sept 02, 1992 – Philadelphia New Observer

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Chemist Raps About Science Education

April 1992 – Chemecology

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Local Television Show Serious About Local Talent

March 20, 1992 – The Philadelphia Tribune

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Knowledge is Power

Fall 1991 – PriPeople Magazine

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Knowledge is Power

Fall 1991 – The CChELATE

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Blacks Sought to Fill Surplus Jobs in Science, Engineering

March 1991 – The Philadelphia Inquirer

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African-American Culture

Feb 1991 – African American Culture

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