Becoming butterflies: interactive embodiment of the butterfly lifecycle

Museum directors are often faced with the challenge of engaging users in the museum experience while preserving the intentions of exhibit content. Designing exhibits for children can heighten the tension between these sometimes competing goals. Working with the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, we designed and implemented Metamorphosis , a system for an engaging, educational butterfly exhibit. The exhibit employs augmented reality and full-body interaction to guide users through critical phases of a butterfly's metamorphosis process. In Metamorphosis , we incorporated participatory design methods in order to leverage engaging ubiquitous technologies while supporting an educational narrative aligned with the museum's goals.