Panel Discussion: Intentional Design for Human Well-Being

This event will curate a conversation about the biological, social, and economic impacts of adversity and stress, and the varying roles that technology can play in helping to address these issues. Come to learn about the current science of how physiological stress affects brain development and health throughout the lifespan, and to hear from a panel of experts in the region who approach this topic from varying perspectives including development of software and wearable tech, and providing educational and employment opportunities for youth who traditionally have little access to such resources.

Panel Discussion will be moderated by Michael O’Bryan, and include:

• Jan Deruiter, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Children’s Foundation
• Dr. Gabriela Marcu, Director, Empathic Design and Research Group at Drexel University
• Sylvester Mobley, Founder and Executive Director of Coded by Kids
• Yasmine Mustafa, CEO ROAR for Good

This event is being put on as part of Rippling Moon: An Urban Fairytale, a new ambitious project of the Porch Light program that will be located at the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center on the border of Northern Liberties and Fishtown. Themes of collaboration, protection, and hope will inform Rippling Moon and demonstrate the many visible and invisible ways in which children and their families cope with trauma.

Rippling Moon is also part of a yearlong initiative of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services to educate the public about trauma and resilience, and will feature a series of events on how to approach their work with better tools and strong awareness around these issues.