The intersection of science and art at Stony Brook University has resulted in an innovative origami installation at the Javits Center. This exhibit is a collaborative effort involving the Origami Club at SBU, the Vertically Integrated Projects Bioengineering Education, Application and Research (VIP BEAR) team, and the Biomedical Engineering Society. The initiative aims to enhance student spaces with STEM-inspired artwork created by the community.
Located on the second floor of the Javits Center, the display showcases origami creations equipped with lights and motors. Visitors can interact with it by waving their hands over an ultrasonic sensor to trigger a light cascade or pressing a button to animate origami lilies and cranes.
Stony Brook’s VIP Program brings together students and faculty in multidisciplinary teams for long-term projects in research, design, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The VIP BEAR team focuses on developing solutions for bioengineering education through engineering design processes.
Elizabeth Argiro ’24, who led the project during her senior year with Professor Mei Lin (Ete) Chan, explained their goal: “We thought of this idea to try to increase youth outreach in STEM through creative means and integrating art, especially origami, was a great way to do that.”
Professor Chan recruited Chunbin Lin ’24 from VIP BEAR for technical expertise. Lin stated: “For me this started off as a sensory project to provide some sort of stress relief.” The reopening of the Javits Center presented an opportunity for an interactive exhibit.
Jarrod McFarlane from Stony Brook's Division of Information Technology commented on the project: “When Professor Chan and her team approached with the idea of the Kinetic Origami Gardenscape, it sounded like a fun way to add color and life to the building.”
Dinubasri Kumariduraivan ’26 discussed her role in motor connectivity: “Underneath the flowers is a small servo motor that allows the origami crane’s wings to flap or the flowers to bloom.”
The group also focused on stress relief aspects. Lin noted: “We did some research and read how blue light can help relieve stress.”
Argiro organized events with local schools for younger students to decorate origami models. Other contributors included William Wells, Sana Awais ’25, Parth Burujwale ’25, and Soyeon Park ‘27.
“This project was an extension of my work with the Origami Club,” said Argiro. Chan emphasized STEM+Art as engaging: “Through this Kinetic Origami Garden project...the undergraduate and PreK-12 students who participated...benefitted.”
Funding came from two Contribution Project grants supporting efforts both inside and outside Stony Brook campus.