Not Your Asian Nerd: Listening to Asian American Pacific Islander Youth in Computer Science

• In Event: Listening to the Experiences of Asian American Youth

Abstract

Labor markets have been pushing our society to understand the affordances of technology and computer science (CS). Yet, reports about who have obtained these computing degrees and careers combined White and Asian students, which further complicates the model minority stereotype. Therefore, this study examines the diverse experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) high school students and how they engage or do not engage in CS learning opportunities in school, after-school and out-of-school contexts. This study zeros in on two high schools, because they both serve diverse AAPIs ethnic groups and the majority of socioeconomically-disadvantaged students. This tackles the notion of the model minority stereotype and further unpack the nuanced experiences of resilient youth in technology.

Author

• Minhtuyen Mai, University of California - San Diego