Author: Sophia Martinez

Research Step 1: 

Five dangers you’d like to protect yourself from  

-Heatwaves/Extreme global warming 

-Embarrassment (maybe mind erasing abilities)

-Impact(driving or falling)

-Heartbreak 

-Natural disasters (tornado, hurricane, tsunami) 

Five ways you’d like to extend the capabilities of your body 

-Increased breathing capacity/ more oxygen (could also work for underwater breathing)

-Temperature control of your body 

-AI integrated into yourself

-Teleportation

-The ability to fly 

For my project, I chose to focus on a device that enhances breathing capacity and provides increased oxygen availability. I selected this concept because it is a realistic piece of equipment with versatile applications that can benefit a wide range of individuals. My initial inspiration was for its use in extreme sports such as mountain biking, skiing, and more. Enhanced oxygen with these activities could improve performance and endurance. The design will take the form of a helmet with integrated eye and head protection, providing functionality and even additional protection these sports require.

Beyond extreme sports, this concept could also be valuable for other athletic activities, like football, or even for medical purposes, assisting individuals who require supplemental oxygen. I envisioned this as a tool to boost performance, particularly for those operating in high-altitude environments.

This idea stems from my personal experience attending a semester school in Colorado, where I spent four months in the highest city in America. I dealt with altitude sickness and muscle cramps during extended hiking trips, which gave me firsthand insight into the challenges of low oxygen levels. While in Colorado, I noticed a product called Boost Oxygen, which sparked the thought that integrating such technology into a helmet could be even more effective and practical.

To align with its intended use for extreme sports, I aim to make the helmet aerodynamic, incorporating sleek and functional design elements. 

10 tangible people/places/things that are associated with the purpose of your project

Boost Oxygen 

Mountain Biking Helmet 

Gas Mask 

Sunglasses

Mountain/ High Elevation 

Ski Helmet 

Ski Goggles 

Sky Diving 

Rock Climbing 

Snowboarding 

Research Step 2: Borrow a strategy

(David Mesguich, Egoism 1.0)

I plan to draw inspiration from the cubist aesthetic, incorporating harsh edges and angular forms to give the design a unique and modern appearance.

Research Step 3: Create sketches

I have chosen to work with a sculpture that depicts Hermes seated on a rock. Hermes is a messenger of the gods who traditionally symbolizes freedom and travel. The statue reminds me of Greek mythology; more specifically, “herma” in Greek stands for a heap of stones. This association, along with the physical nature of the sculpture, reminds me of classic stone sculptures. I want to resist the idea that Hermes represents freedom and movement while simultaneously exploring the idea of “herma” representing stone. My approach will transform Hermes’ lower half into the stone he is sitting on. To achieve this, I plan to primarily use the sculpt tool to shape parts of the sculpture into rock-like texture. In addition, I may need to change the fill type to get a more flat geometric look for parts of the sculpture.

When I consider all the pivotal moments in my life, I usually reflect on the time when I attended the High Mountain Institute during my junior year of high school. The High Mountain Institute (HMI) is a selective semester school in Colorado that blends academics with an appreciation for the natural world. To attend this school, I had to move across the country, leaving my high school, friends, and family. It was there that I experienced outdoor learning while hiking for 18 days in both the backcountry of Colorado and Utah. At HMI, I matured and endured many physical and mental challenges that allowed me to grow.  However, the most significant obstacle I faced was hiking up Mount Elbert, the highest summit of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. That 14,439-foot journey was one of the most trying and rewarding experiences of my life. It taught me the importance of perseverance and the reward of never giving up. In the case of Mount Elbert, the reward was the once-in-a-lifetime view of  Colorado. In addition, at HMI, I learned and observed environmental degradation firsthand. This experience made me even more environmentally conscious and eager to raise awareness as it exposed me to issues surrounding forest fires, acid mine drainage, and biodiversity loss. Learning alongside individuals who protect and preserve the environment and reduce their carbon footprint made me want to emulate them. HMI has shaped my future career journey within sustainability and has given me numerous life lessons. 

-Mountain/mountain range

-Hiking boots 

-Trees/wood

-Nalgene/ waterbottle 

-Walking stick 

-Leave No Trace(LNT)/ Footprints

-Campfire

-Backpack 

-mountain goats

-Sunrise and Sunset

Name: Sophia Martinez

Majors: Environmental Studies and Art and Design

Interests:

-I do GIS work and volunteer at the Merrill Linn Conservancy

-I volunteer at the Bucknell Farm and Lewisburg Community

-I am involved in greek life

-I am passionate about sustainability and plan to go to grad school for sustainability next year

I am taking this class to expand my artistic ability as I focus more on painting and drawing