Role:
Project Designer — partnered with a 12th grade science teacher to prototype the project, develop instructional materials, and scaffold fabrication and programming processes for student use.

Project Description:
As part of an ecology unit and their graduation portfolio, students built interactive recycling stations that required practicing woodworking, circuitry, and programming skills. Each bin had three receptacles (trash, paper, plastics/metal) with proximity sensors connected to a Raspberry Pi. When items were deposited, the bins triggered student-designed infographics and animations on a TFT screen.

Design Approach:
I created a prototype recycling station that demonstrated the integration of fabrication, circuitry, and programming. I created instructional materials, including cut lists and circuitry diagrams, and led skill and tool demonstrations for each class. To support students, I developed a Processing-based template system that allowed them to import and sequence their own GIFs and animations without needing to code entirely from scratch. I also preconfigured each Raspberry Pi with startup scripts so projects would boot directly into the student programs. This design approach emphasized accessibility, creativity, and exposure to a wide variety of making practices.

Project Sequence:

• Students built wooden frames in the school’s fab lab, which involved cutting, sanding, staining, and assembling with screws.

• They laser-cut plywood lids with disposal holes and a screen mount, then decorated the lids to make the bins visually engaging.

• They assembled Raspberry Pi circuits with three proximity sensors and a TFT screen, practicing soldering and following circuit diagrams.

• Using a Processing template, students created custom infographics and animations that displayed based on the type of trash disposed.

• Twelve unique recycling stations were completed across multiple class sections and installed throughout the school for community use.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Practiced woodworking and digital fabrication (measuring, cutting, staining, laser cutting, vinyl cutting).

• Developed basic electronics and soldering skills through Raspberry Pi circuits and sensors.

• Gained exposure to programming concepts in Processing while creating custom animations and infographics.

• Built collaboration and project management skills through a long-term, multi-class build.

• Contributed to the school community by producing functional recycling stations installed campus-wide.