Hairstyle Patterns Teach Young African Americans about Their Mathematical Heritage

May 30, 2008

A hands-on computer workshop at the Baltimore Museum of Art, called "Mathematics and Design: The Art of Cornrows," helps young African American students understand equations, mathematical patterns, and their heritage.

Ron Eglash of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute designed the instructional computer program used in the workshop. The activity lets students "braid a mathematical idea into someone's hair and use the software to translate it into mathematics," he told the Washington Post.

Eglash was inspired to create the software after becoming aware of fractal patterns in African architecture, art, housing, fabrics, clothing, and hairstyles. "Fractal geometry is everywhere, even in lines drawn in the sand," Eglash said.

"It's the cycle of life," he noted. "You see fractals in plants, in flowers. Within the human lung are branches within branches."

Since many African American students are unaware of the significance of mathematics in African history and culture, Eglash also felt the need to show that sophisticated African mathematical ideas predated "exposure to Europeans and are independent of Egyptians."

One recent weekend, fourth-grader Raychel Hopkins used Eglash's program to design a braided, fractal-based hairstyle pattern. "Our math teacher doesn't teach us like this," she said. "I like this math."

Source: Washington Post, May 13, 2008.