Application and Implication

What will it do?

EduTile is an interactive educational tool that uses modular puzzle pieces to teach STEM concepts. It responds to user interaction through light, vibration, screen feedback, and sensors. Educators can customize the physical and digital content, making it suitable for a wide range of topics and age groups.

Who has done what beforehand?

In 2021, I created a final project called Blue Home, an interactive educational board game about the solar system. It featured a 3D-printed astronaut, sensor-based interactions, and LED feedback to make learning space science engaging for kids.

EduTile builds upon the foundational ideas of Blue Home—interactivity, learning through play, and combining physical elements with digital logic—but takes it further with modularity, customizability for educators, and multiple outputs and sensors integrated into a single puzzle-like platform.

Compared to Blue Home, EduTile allows for broader educational content, more complex interactions, and better integration of electronics and design for real classroom use.

What will you design?

I will design all 3D printed enclosures, laser-cut puzzle pieces, three custom PCBs, the electronic circuits, and the web-based interface. The enclosure and interaction layout are customized specifically for the EduTile format.

What materials and components will be used?

  • XIAO ESP32 microcontroller
  • APDS9960 gesture and color sensor
  • Flora RGB LEDs
  • OLED screen
  • Vibration motor
  • Grove connectors and cables
  • 3D printed PLA parts
  • Laser-cut wood or acrylic puzzle pieces
  • Magnets for assembly
  • Lithium battery and charging module

Where will they come from?

Most electronics are sourced from DigiKey and Adafruit. PLA filament and magnets were sourced locally or from Amazon. 3D printing and laser cutting were done at Fab Lab Bahrain.

How much will they cost?

  • XIAO ESP32 – $7
  • APDS9960 – $5
  • Flora RGB – $3
  • OLED screen – $4
  • Vibration motor – $2
  • Battery and charger – $6
  • 3D printing and materials – ~$5
  • Laser-cut wood – ~$3
  • Miscellaneous (wires, connectors) – ~$5

Total estimated cost: around $35–40 per unit

What parts and systems will be made?

I designed and fabricated:

  • Three custom PCBs
  • 3D printed enclosures and supports
  • Laser-cut puzzle pieces
  • Interactive web interface

What processes will be used?

  • 3D modeling and printing (Fusion 360 + Bambu Lab)
  • Laser cutting (wood/acrylic)
  • PCB design and production (KiCad, CNC milling and soldering)
  • Embedded programming (Arduino IDE)
  • Web development (HTML, JS for interface)

What questions need to be answered?

  • How stable is the communication between the pieces?
  • Is the sensor data reliable in classroom lighting conditions?
  • Is the user interface intuitive for both children and educators?
  • Can educators easily change or extend the content?

How will it be evaluated?

It will be evaluated based on functionality, interactivity, usability, and educational impact. If the puzzle pieces respond to user input with appropriate feedback (lights, screen, vibration), and if the system supports modularity and educator customization, then the project is successful.

What tasks have been completed?

  • 3D model and enclosure design
  • Electronic circuit design and PCB production
  • Firmware development for sensor reading and LED/screen control
  • Interface for data visualization and LED control

What tasks remain?

  • Finalizing assembly with magnets and cable routing
  • Improving gesture sensing accuracy
  • Testing usability with real users
  • Final documentation and video

What has worked? What hasn’t?

  • Worked: Modular design, sensor readings, communication between components
  • Didn’t work: Fabric shifting in earlier experiments, occasional sensor interference due to lighting

What questions need to be resolved?

  • How can content be modular for educators with no coding background?
  • Is the magnet strength ideal for both stability and easy separation?

What will happen when?

  • Week 1–2: Finalize integration and testing
  • Week 3: User testing and feedback
  • Week 4: Complete documentation, final video, and slide

What have you learned?

I’ve learned how to integrate mechanical design with electronics and software into a single, user-friendly educational tool. I gained skills in modular electronics, interface design, rapid prototyping, and working within tight iteration cycles. The importance of user-centered design and system integration became clearer throughout this process.