Interactive Sustainable Irrigation Exhibit

Problem Statement:

In my Cornerstone of Engineering course, my team was challenged to design an interactive exhibit that would make sustainability engaging and understandable for elementary-school students. We developed a hands-on irrigation game that taught children how material selection, cost, and environmental impact influence sustainable irrigation systems, while documenting the full engineering design process in a 100-page technical report covering research, prototyping, testing, CAD, electronics, programming, and final results.

Ideation & Prototyping:

  • Researched sustainable irrigation, universal design, and interactive exhibits to understand how tactile experiences could engage children.

  • Compared concepts based on feasibility, accessibility, cost, educational value, and engagement, developing a puzzle game where children built irrigation paths while balancing cost and environmental impact.

  • Built a cardboard prototype to test the layout and interaction.

  • Created electronic proof-of-concept circuits using Arduino, buttons, LEDs, and motors to test interactive functionality.

Technical Development & Fabrication:

  • Created AutoCAD models and engineering drawings to translate the prototype into a durable wooden exhibit with transparent acrylic puzzle components.

  • Used laser cutting, woodworking, acrylic fabrication, soldering, and assembly to manufacture and build the final exhibit.

  • Integrated two RedBoards, 12 limit switches, photoresistors, LEDs, and buttons to detect user interactions and control gameplay.

  • Used Arduino/C++ and MATLAB to connect sensor inputs with the game’s budget, environmental score, instructions, audio, and visual feedback.

  • Soldered and extended wiring for 12 limit switches, troubleshooting connections to ensure reliable operation throughout the exhibit.

Final Exhibit:

Skills Demonstrated:

  • Delivered a functional exhibit where students built irrigation systems while balancing cost and sustainability.

  • Combined physical prototyping, electronics, programming, and user-centered design into one interactive system.

  • Received positive feedback from students, who found the exhibit fun and engaging to interact with.

  • Rapid Prototyping – Built and iterated physical prototypes

  • Fabrication – Laser cutting, woodworking, acrylic assembly & soldering

  • Electronics – Integrated sensors, switches, LEDs & Arduino hardware

  • Programming – Developed interactive functionality using C++ & MATLAB

  • Collaboration – Worked across a team to coordinate design, fabrication & technical development