Barbershop Computing: Toward Collaborating With Black Barbershops to Expand Computer Science Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: STEM Identity and Pedagogy

Abstract

This paper presents theoretical foundations and design outcomes from research and development of an online educational application called Barbershop Computing. Barbershop Computing is a website with visual programming and physical computing activities that aim to support connections and exchanges between Black barbershops and computer science (CS) education. Its larger goal is to enroll professional barbers in educators’ and researchers’ efforts to broaden the participation of African American boys in CS education. In the development of the application we have found that barbers’ design expertise--in cutting and patterning hair--and their technical expertise--in using and maintaining clippers--may be generative points of contact with CS educators.

Authors

• Michael L Lachney, Michigan State University

• Madison C. Allen, Michigan State University

• Briana Green, Michigan State University

• Theodore Ransaw, Michigan State University