Weeks #8-9: Building the "How"

These past two weeks have been all about moving from the "why" to the "how." After spending plenty of time researching how teens handle conflict, we’ve shifted our focus to actually building CALMZ.

Our main goal for these two weeks was to sharpen up any loose ends and really ground our ideas into reality. We’re not just winging it, we’ve been diving into the science of emotional regulation, exploring the market, and taking inspiration from existing solutions. It’s been about looking at what’s out there and figuring out how to build a "How" that is just as strong as our "Why." This research-heavy approach is exactly what we need as we head toward our big pitch!

Pause-label-choose ✋🏷️

One of the most important things we refined is our "game plan" for de-escalation: Pause-Label-Choose. This isn't just an idea we had, it’s a science-based method we’ve adapted for CALMZ to help teens stay in control.

• Pause: When stress spikes, the wearable provides a discreet haptic "nudge," guiding the teen through a quick breathing exercise to physically calm their system without anyone else noticing.

• Label: Next, they receive a notification on the app to name their emotion. Research shows that "affect labeling" can reduce impulsive behavior by 40% compared to those who don't name their feelings.

• Choose: Once the physical and emotional "noise" is turned down, the teen can actually choose a constructive way to respond rather than just reacting in the heat of the moment.

Getting inspired ✨

While refining the tech, we took a deep dive into the world of fidgets to understand why teens naturally reach for things to spin, click, or squeeze when stressed.

Our research led us to the "Maker" community, where we explored everything from 3D-printed mechanical rings to silent tactile surfaces. We’ve been looking at what’s already on the market to see how we can give CALMZ a satisfying, tactile feel. The goal is to make the wearable a grounding tool that feels natural to use, whether in a classroom or during a tough conversation

Take a deep breath 🧘🧘‍♀️

The "Pause" phase of our system is built on science, not just a vibe. We’ve been researching evidence-based breathing techniques such as Box Breathing and the

4-7-8 method to see which ones actually help lower heart rates under stress. Our goal is to translate these rhythms into gentle vibrations on the wrist, making the "calm down" process feel automatic and easy for the teen to follow.

We are currently polishing our final research and idea for our biggest pitch yet. We can’t wait to show how much CALMZ has grown over these last two weeks!

Wish us luck!🍀