Stephen Murray uses his guitar and creative talents to enhance his students' learning of physics and chemistry. Listen to one of Mr. Murray's songs and see him in action. The Grapevine High School teacher's music sticks with his students and contains lessons such as the periodic table. He has written 17 songs to encourage his students to learn some very difficult content. "Trigonometry Tango" and "Thermodynamic Blues" have even helped students remember basic concepts as they work their way through the Texas TAKS test.
He expects his students to think the songs are weird – and they are, at first. But he knows they won't be forgotten.
"I have kids that can still remember things five to six years after they learned it," Mr. Murray said.
Grapevine High sophomore Simon Mwanzia said the songs help him remember information for tests.
"Or on homework – you're stuck at home, you sing the songs, and they come back to you," Simon said.
Mr. Murray is thinking about packaging his songs with visuals on a DVD. Hopefully, he will find time to do this.