Welcome

The Cal Poly Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect Theory suggests that the small flutter of a butterfly wing can affect the molecules around it, setting off a chain of reactions that lead to major change. This concept is what inspires the Cal Poly Butterfly Effect Club. Small acts of kindness and generosity can have notable and meaningful impacts.

Butterfly Drops

Butterfly Drops

Once a month, a wooden butterfly is hidden on Cal Poly's campus...

Before the Cal Poly Butterfly Effect Club can begin one of their butterfly drops, they need someone to take on the task of painting the wooden creature. Kinesiology senior Lucy Swift was asked by club president Sarah Ruhe to paint the butterfly after Ruhe saw the paintings Swift had made for herself in her bedroom. Swift happily obliged. “It’s a fun and effective way to get students involved in change that is bigger than themselves,” she said. “Feeling like I’ve helped this club even a little bit has made me feel honored to be a part of the change they are bringing to this campus.” Once Swift paints the butterfly, it will be hidden somewhere on Cal Poly’s campus. Whoever finds the butterfly chooses a charity that the club then donates $250 to. On the day of the drop, the club hides the wooden butterfly in a chosen location before posting hints on where to find it on the club’s Instagram account. Anyone who sees the hints is able to join the hunt. On October 18, the butterfly was placed with a mural painted by the Butterfly Effect club in Poly Canyon Village. The mural reads, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” For every 1,000 pictures taken with the mural, the club will donate $1,000 to a charity chosen by club members. Swift used the Cheshire Cat from “Alice and Wonderland” as inspiration when painting the butterfly. Ruhe feels that this club connects her, and anyone else that helps paint, to art in a special way. “I used to avoid helping out with art projects and creative assignments,” she said. “But being surrounded by art so often has shown me the joy in [just] trying. A little creative exploration never hurt anybody.” The first hint posted to Instagram read, “I found a new friend,” reflecting one of Ruhe’s most rewarding experiences with this club. “Kindness has connected me with so many new people, whether they came up and talked to me while I was painting the mural or started attending club meetings,” she said. Even after the second hint was posted to Instagram, many unsuspecting students walked by without a second glance. Physics junior Jacob Siderman turned out finding the butterfly. He said he saw the hints for a previous drop too late and was determined to find this butterfly after missing out on the last one. The moment the first hint was posted on Instagram, he rode his bike all the way to PCV. Siderman chose to donate the $250 to the Ability Experience, the philanthropy his fraternity actively supports. The philanthropy strives to support those with mental and physical abilities. “They do really, really, really great work and I think they promote very important social initiatives,” he said. The Cal Poly Butterfly Effect does multiple drops throughout the school year, offering any and all students endless opportunities to make a difference.

Butterfly Drop Finders

Butterfly Drop Finders

Click on the images to hear which philanthropies these butterfly hunters donated to
(Double-click to pause audio)

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Club Members

Student experiences

Cal Poly students share what The Butterfly Effect means to them

Outreach

Outreach

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