Role:
Project Designer — designed and prototyped the project, then wrote detailed instructions so it could be run consistently by a classroom teacher.

Project Description:
High school students built infinity mirrors — square wooden frames combining LED circuits with mirrored acrylic and one-way mirror film to create the illusion of lights tunneling into infinity. Each mirror changed colors when rotated, thanks to tilt switches controlling the different color channels of the LED strip. Students also designed and laser-etched custom graphics into the mirrored acrylic, adding unique visual effects. The project blended woodworking, circuitry, and digital fabrication into a polished, take-home artifact.

Design Approach:
Because I could only visit the school once a week, I designed this as a structured, individual project that the teacher could run independently. The process was broken into explicit steps with clear instructions, balancing accessibility with high-school-level complexity. Since this was an elective class explicitly about using the school’s fab lab, I wanted to incorporate several different disciplines of fabrication. To keep students motivated, I emphasized producing a finished product that felt both impressive and personally expressive. By keeping woodworking and circuitry relatively simple while layering in digital fabrication and design choice, I ensured the project remained manageable for the teacher to deliver while still being exciting to create.

Project Sequence:

• Students were introduced to the project with a prototype and explanation of the optical principles at play.

• Students measured, cut, and assembled square-dowel frames using saws, miter boxes, and glue.

• Constructed LED circuits with tilt switches and battery packs, with some soldering for connections.

• Designed and prepared custom graphics in Adobe Illustrator, then laser-etched them onto acrylic panels.

• Assembled the mirrors, frames, and circuit into a finished product.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Practiced woodworking and measurement using hand tools.

• Learned circuitry fundamentals, including LED strips, tilt switches, and simple soldering.

• Gained experience with digital design and laser cutting.

• Saw how skills across different disciplines could combine into a single polished build.

• Experienced the motivation of creating an impressive, personal artifact to take home.