This article describes the role of culture and power in building a research-practice partnership (RPP). The original aims that drove the building of the RPP were to generate and use research to inform the programs and services provided by the youthserving organization to Latinx youth and to use the findings to inform research on how to broaden participation in computing. In this article, we describe how the RPP evolved. Data include documentation from meeting notes, e-mails, and observations as well as interviews with practitioners. The results suggest that the research goals and process changed when the partners began to critically analyze and discuss the role of power and culture, and adjustments to the methods and theoretical grounding of the research were made as a result. The lessons learned are summarized in terms of their implications for generating research that has both theoretical and social justice implications.

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A growing number of programs aim to increase girls' interest in computing courses and careers, but there is little research on their effectiveness. In this study, we describe how girls in an after-school and summer program changed over time. Activities were based on the expectancy-value model of motivation and included computer game programming and career and college exploration via virtual mentors and field trips. Data from 59 (mostly Latina) students who participated for over 50 h show an increase in computing career goals, expectations for success with computing, the value they placed on computing and computing-related jobs, as well as perceived parent support. There was no change in their depth of interest in problem solving, endorsement of gender stereotypes, or perceived support from school-based peers and teachers. Different data sources yielded different findings about girls' stereotypical beliefs about computer jobs. Implications for designing interventions at the middle school level are discussed.

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