Exploring Computer Science – Integrating Computing, Math, History, and Art
Objectives:
I can solve a problem by applying the problem-solving process.
I can solve a problem by using math and art skills.
I can express a solution using standard design tools.
I can determine if a given solution successfully solves a stated problem.

The Culturally Situated Design Tools Cornrow Curves was a new, challenging experience that had a pleasant outcome. The reason why this project was challenging was because there were numerous steps that had to be accomplished before one was to even begin the actual project.

Using the website " https://csdt.rpi.edu/ "  I was to first, read and take notes on the cultural background of cornrow braiding. After that, along side my elbow partner, Marcos Johnson, I was suppose to complete part 1 of the tutorial which was then checked my Marcos. Step 3 of the project was, complete part 2 of the tutorial. Steps 4 and 5 were the actual project. I was to use the math software to design a cornrow, document my plan using the G. Polya Four Step Problem Solving Method, create a scenario and use a spreadsheet to show how I created the braids. Lastly, step 5 I was to use the Programing software to design my own braid.

The following work is the complete product after each step was accomplished.

MATH SOFTWARE

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Client A walks into the salon and ask the hairstylist for the design as shown below. The hairstylist wants to plan out the design before starting on the client. What would the hairstylist's plan look like? What would the finished design look like? Note: Whenever "hairstylist" is mentioned, it is actually myself as viewed in scenario.

The hairstylist decides that to make the design she would create a spreadsheet and test out multiple plots and numbers to try and create the design. The hairstyle is a cornrow braid that starts from the nape of the neck working up to the front of the hair. Rotation is used to curve the braid around the ear and to curve perfectly to the head shape. Dilation is used to increase the size of the braid as it continues to the front and make it smaller and tighter at the neck. The 3 braids the client wants are bigger and looser at the top of the head and tighter as it gets closer to the ears.Screen Shot 2017-11-29 at 12.29.15 PM (1).png

Above each cornrow is listed to have 13 integers. Also listed above is the different starting points, angles, dilations, translations, and rotations for each individual cornrow.

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The picture above is the finished design, now that the design is finished the hairstylist is ready to replicate this design on the client.

Next time instead of starting at the top of the head to create the design the hairstylist (myself) should start at the bottom of the head because the design that the client wanted starts at the bottom of the head and works up. This would have made the design more accurate.

Programing Software

The design displayed below is based off of the design above however there is one less cornrow and the braid is constructed of a sequence of hearts. Like the design from above the design below is started from the top to the bottom and like the braid above to construct the braid I used guess and check.

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Using Guess and Check made the process take a lot longer because it had to constantly be revised and checked. While I did get the first braid started in the Math Software, my partner Marcos helped my create the second braid. Marcos showed me how to get a better understanding of what I was doing which made it easier to create the rest of the braids and the new design using the programing software.

This project took a very long time, along with a lot of concentration and trials and error. Originally my partner and I had tried a different more complex design (because it looked cooler) but I changed it to this design to be able to mess up and learn and then still have enough time to actually finish the task.