Project Managment

EduTile

EduTile Final Project Slide

Personal Reflection

As an educator and trainer at Fab Lab Bahrain, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with young learners through the SPARK program — a hands-on STEM experience that introduces children aged 8–12 to electronics, fabrication, and design thinking.

Through this experience, I noticed how students naturally learn through interaction and storytelling. I also realized the importance of having tools that let educators easily adapt content based on their teaching goals. That’s where the idea for EduTile came from — a project rooted in my passion for making science fun, accessible, and customizable for learners and teachers alike.

EduTile is more than a technical integration of electronics and design — it’s a response to a real need I saw in the classroom. It allows students to touch, feel, and engage with learning material, while giving educators the flexibility to design their own educational narratives. Whether it’s identifying colors, responding to gestures, or triggering outputs like vibrations and lights, EduTile turns the learning process into an immersive experience.

I plan to integrate EduTile into future SPARK sessions at Fab Lab Bahrain, where it can be used to:

  • Teach logical thinking through sequencing and physical interaction
  • Introduce sensors, microcontrollers, and feedback systems in an age-friendly way
  • Encourage storytelling and team-based play where students build and interact with content

This project is deeply connected to my journey as an educator, maker, and curious learner. It allowed me to synthesize the skills I’ve learned in the Fab Academy — from electronics to embedded programming and 3D design — into something that speaks to my core mission: empowering young minds through making.

What does it do?

EduTile is a modular, interactive educational tool that combines electronics, physical puzzle elements, and customizable content for teaching STEM topics. It responds to gesture input using a color/gesture sensor, and provides feedback via a vibration motor, RGB LEDs, and an OLED screen. It is designed for educators and students to interact with tactile pieces that support learning through play.

Who’s done what beforehand?

EduTile is inspired by interactive board games, learning systems like Osmo, Cubetto, and Blue Home (my own 2021 Fab Academy final project). These systems use tangible interfaces to facilitate learning. EduTile builds on this by allowing content customization and system modularity, while integrating sensors and outputs seamlessly into the puzzle pieces.

What did you design?

  • Three custom PCBs (controller, ring light, and output piece)
  • 3D models for the puzzle piece and base structure
  • Laser-cut jigsaw puzzle pieces
  • Embedded code to control all components
  • HTML/JavaScript web interface for testing and interaction

What sources did you use?

I used documentation from:

What materials and components were used?

  • XIAO ESP32 microcontroller
  • APDS9960 gesture and color sensor
  • Flora RGB LEDs
  • OLED screen
  • Vibration motor
  • Lithium battery with charger
  • Magnets
  • Grove connectors and cables
  • PLA filament (for 3D printed parts)
  • 3mm MDF wood (for laser-cut puzzle)

Where did they come from?

  • Electronics: DigiKey, Adafruit, local supplier
  • 3D printing materials and magnets: Fab Lab Bahrain and Amazon
  • Laser-cut wood: Fab Lab inventory

How much did they cost?

Total cost: approximately $40

  • XIAO ESP32 – $7
  • APDS9960 – $5
  • RGB LEDs – $3
  • OLED screen – $4
  • Vibration motor – $2
  • Battery and charger – $6
  • Connectors, wires – $5
  • 3D printing and laser materials – $8

What parts and systems were made?

  • Three PCBs designed and fabricated
  • 3D printed enclosure for puzzle piece and base structure
  • Laser-cut puzzle tiles
  • Firmware and sensor integration code
  • Web-based interface for visualization and interaction testing

What processes were used?

  • 3D design and printing (Fusion 360 + Bambu Lab)
  • 2D design and laser cutting (Inkscape + Epilog laser)
  • PCB design and milling (KiCad + SRM-20)
  • Soldering and assembly of components
  • Embedded programming (Arduino IDE)
  • Web development (HTML + JavaScript)

What questions were answered?

  • How to design modular electronics for classroom use
  • How to integrate multiple outputs with smooth behavior
  • How to maintain sensor accuracy with mechanical constraints
  • How to make the system intuitive and educator-friendly

What worked? What didn’t?

  • Worked: Sensor data accuracy, modular PCB connections, feedback system, fitting and interaction
  • Didn’t: Early assembly with threads (replaced with magnets), loose wiring (fixed with connector design)

How was it evaluated?

EduTile was evaluated by:

  • Successful feedback interaction with user input (gesture/color)
  • Modularity – pieces can be removed/added without affecting functionality
  • User experience – children and educators tested the prototype
  • Component integration and responsiveness

What are the implications?

EduTile introduces a customizable learning tool that merges physical interaction and digital logic. It can be adapted by educators worldwide to fit local curriculum. It promotes hands-on learning, system thinking, and creative problem-solving. It could be expanded into a toolkit or kit platform in future.