An interactive wall that turns small wins into big dreams.

It’s basically an interactive device that helps motivate students.

When a student or a team finishes a challenge, they get an 3D-printed apples with magnets with their name on it. They stick it onto the tree.

The hall sensors detects it, lights up an LED, and plays a voice message to congratulate them. It’s instant feedback and a little celebration for their teamwork.

1.1 Inspiration

In my science class, I used to give out stickers when students finished experiments.But honestly, they’d tear, get lost, or just didn’t last.

1.2 Solution

I built an Honor Tree—When a student does well, their apple lights up on the tree.

1.3 Existing Product Research

While there are some basic “puzzle light” toys and growth boards for children on the market, few are specially designed for group or class growth evaluation combining magnetic sensing and programmable LED feedback. Existing evaluations mostly rely on digital data collection and analysis, lacking tangible interactive experience.

The Honor Tree enhances the ritual and sense of achievement through physical puzzle insertion triggering lights; team task completion lights up the whole tree to reinforce teamwork and collective honor; the physical interaction offers a more immersive, intuitive experience than traditional digital assessments.

2.1 2D Design & Cutting

I designed a multi-layer tree in 2D Designed.

Design Process

1. Go to File → Import, select your PNG image, and click OK.
2. Select the image.

3. In the top menu, go to Path → Trace Bitmap.


Recommended Trace Bitmap Settings:

• Brightness Threshold:0.45 (suitable for black and white images)
• Edge Detection:0.001 mm (best for outlines/cutting)
• Colors:2 (for simplified paths)
4. Click “Apply” to generate vector paths.
5. Drag the original bitmap away or delete it. Keep the new vector path only.

• Click the "A" icon on the left toolbar (Text Tool).
• Click anywhere on the canvas and type "Honor Tree".
• Change the font and size from the top menu.
• Use the selection tool to move the text to the right position.

6. Finally, save the file as SVG or DXF for laser cutting.


Design



Manufacture

Download File

2D design

---

2.2 3D Design and Printing

I designed in 3D-printed apples with each student’s name, and added magnets.



Design Process

Start by selecting an apple PNG image and converting it into an SVG.



Then use Fusion 360 for modeling the apple shape:

1. Sketch → Insert SVG → Extrude → Fillet

2. Sketch → Draw a circle → Extrude

3. Sketch →Snap joint→ Extrude → Combine

4. Sketch → Add text “Tommy” → Extrude


Final Result: Complete apple model with engraved text.

Design



Manufacture



Download File

3D design

3.1 Electronics Design & CNC Cutting

I made the PCB in EasyEDA, milled it with a Roland MDX40, and used an XIAO ESP32C for the brains.

Design Process

Click Place - Component

Enter the component name in the search box and select the model you purchased

Click the mouse to place the component on the canvas

Click Place - Add online tag

Connect one by one

Enter the tag name

Finish the design

Design - Convert schematic to PCB

Arrange the components

Routing - Single Track Routing

line Wiring

Click Place - Frame - Panel Frame

Board Frame

Place - Text

Input Text

Design and Manufacture

Below is a table with the components used:

Part	Value	Device	Package	Description
XIAO	10201038814PIN_600MIL-SMD	10201038814PIN_600MIL-SMD	14PIN_SMD-600MIL	--
PINS1	--	PINHD-1X8/90-2.54	1X08/90	PIN HEADER
PINS2	--	PINHD-1X3/90-2.54	1X03/90	PIN HEADER
R1	499 ohm	RES-US1206FAB	R1206FAB	Resistor (US Symbol)
R2	1k ohm	RES-US1206FAB	R1206FAB	Resistor (US Symbol)
S1	--	3*6*2.5mm SW-PB-2TSA363G25-250B	3*6*2.5mm SW-PB-2TSA363G25-250B	OMRON SWITCH
U$1	LEDFAB1206	LEDFAB1206	LED1206FAB	LED

Download File

Electronics Design

---

3.2 Programming Test:Input & Output

When a student puts their apple near the Hall sensor, the LED lights up and a happy “Great job!” plays.

Connection layout

code

Test

Download Code

Electronics Design

• In the first layer, use screws to attach the Hall sensors and LED lights to the felt board.

• In the second layer, laser-cut gray corrugated cardboard to form the tree trunk. This layer encloses the wiring from the first layer. Be sure to design openings so that the sensors and LED lights align with the apples, enabling the switch sensing function.

• For the third layer, laser-cut green corrugated cardboard to represent the tree leaves. Make sure to include slots that fit the size of the apples, allowing the 3D apples to be hung securely so that the magnets inside can trigger the Hall sensors.

• Finally, laser-cut a pink corrugated cardboard music box, embed the speaker inside it, and attach it to the lower right corner.

Device Running

A 3D-printed apple contains an embedded magnet. When the magnet approaches the Hall sensor, the corresponding WS2812B LED lights up.

Most core components (LEDs, sensors, resistors, etc.) were purchased from domestic e-commerce sites such as Taobao and DFRobot.

Component	Quantity	Price (per piece)	Shop	Notes
PLA Filament	93g	5.6 RMB	--	Provided by FabLab Formshop
3mm Corrugated Cardboard	60*40mm × 3 pcs	3 RMB	--	Provided by FabLab Formshop
9mm Felt Board	80*120mm × 1	21.8 RMB	Taobao	--
Seeed XIAO	1	34.05 RMB	Taobao	--
LED (WS2812B)	8 pcs	17.36 RMB	Taobao	--
Hall Sensor (A3144)	8 pcs	17.6 RMB	Taobao	--
Magnet (Neodymium)	8 pcs	3.3 RMB	Taobao	--
DFRobot DFPlayer Mini	1	39 RMB	Taobao	--
Speaker (3W 8Ω)	1	4.12 RMB	Taobao	--
SD Card (8GB)	1	3.7 RMB	Taobao	--

6.1 Dissemination Plan

• I can use this device during the school's open classes and promote it to teachers in my school and other schools, allowing them to use it in their own classrooms.
• I can also promote it to parents through parent-teacher communication days and apply it in home education.
• Additionally, I can promote it to maker communities and relevant educational institutions through media coverage and participation in maker events.

6.2 Future Opportunities

• In the next version of the Honor Tree, I want to add conductive ink and projection mapping to make it even more interactive and immersive.
• Once the Honor Tree upgrade was complete, we moved toward productization, hoping it would inspire more children to grow through its light.

The Honor Tree V1

Before the creative redesign, I made a small-scale version of the Honor Tree using wood. After discussing it with my local instructor, we decided to upgrade the Honor Tree to give the children a more impressive visual experience.