The Butterfly Woman project is a wearable set of wings for Lydia Villa-Komaroff, a molecular biologist that works with under-represented groups of people supporting their efforts in the STEM fields. The wings are designed to incorporate her dedication to eradicating bias and stereotyping with her interest in Geiger Counters and butterflies. The wings serve as a detector of Implicit Bias and Stereotyping and flutter when this type of negativity is detected.

When the wings flutter they alert both the wearer and the exhibitor of the bias to of the situation and what specific type of stereotyping is occurring. Lydia often wishes that she was able to seek out any and all stereotyping and bias around her, even in the most subtle situation. This project allows Lydia to go about her business without diverting energy towards seeking out bias. It will alert her to any nearby bias so she can act immediately helping others grow and protect themselves from stereotyping and its harmful effects. The wings, two and a half feet tall, are mounted onto an exoskeleton that fits like a corset around the user's body. A user-activated motor attached to the back of the exoskeleton drives the fluttering motion of the wings. 

The goal of designing this real-world superhero prop is to bring awareness to the subtle expression of modern-day racism through implicit bias. For example, when the most challenging jobs are given to male workers when the female workers are more qualified but are excluded due to their sex. On a daily basis, the project succeeds just by bringing smiles and positivity into Lydia's life and the lives of those around her. The structure and lighting elements were designed to be fun and interesting to observe. The wings are specifically designed to represent Lydia's personality. The material the wings are made out of is thick, symbolizing Lydia's resilience in the face of adversity. Underneath the thick material, colorful lights represent her fun and playful personality once people get to know her.

When bored, sad or unhappy, many tend to gravitate toward  a mobile device. A quick text or snapchat to a friend has been shown to improve ones mood immediately. Such tendencies have resulted in unexpected implications, such as individuals developing addictive  habits when it comes to the use of mobile devices. Receiving a text or Instagram like is thought to release dopamine and other feel-good hormones into the brain, leaving many dependent on their mobile devices for happiness. 

iSlith  is a toy which aims to demonstrate this idea in a way young children will understand. I am making a snake which, when slithered, dispenses a piece of candy to young children . Presumably, this device will introduce ideas of the danger and appeal of immediate gratification when it comes to the use of smartphones.  Candy is used to represent this concept because it is universally enjoyed by children although they are constantly preached about its unhealthiness from older individuals. Through conversation children could think critically about the appeal and challenges of a toy which gives a reward for a simple interaction. Meanwhile, parents could explore how their children react individually to a device which simulates a situation which will exist in their near future. Being the most primal members of the human race, children's reactions could provide much information on how instant gratification can affect reward circuits in the brains of children opposed to adults. In result, a conclusion could be drawn as to whether or not cell phone addiction is a result of nature or nurture.

iSlith was created using a flex sensor, taped to one of the joints and a servo which rotates when prompted to release the candy. The candy is in a slanted tube which allows an easy release, while a programmed Arduino controls the sensor and servo. The body of the snake was crafted with a laser cutter with each peice  loosely screwed together, allowing flexibility and movement throughout.