As a teacher, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching students take their ideas and turn them into something real. This first quarter (2024) in our Grade 10 Arduino Robotics class was no different. This quarter was all about using LEDs in real-world applications, and our students really stepped up to the challenge. Although they encountered problems early into the quarter, they were able to integrate various LED effects like blinking, fading, and random brightness effects. The performance task this quarter focused on practical applications of LEDs, and I couldn’t be more impressed with what they came up with.
In our class, we aim to meet the Content Standard of understanding how hardware and software components in Arduino interact. The Performance Standard challenges students to design and program their own LED circuits. They were given 3 weeks to create the final product. In the end, every creation reflected their personality and interests in a unique way.
Here are the top 11 LED projects that truly shined (pun intended).
11. Glowing Crystals Cave
Made by Shenaiah Niese.
The product I’ve made is a model of a cave with glowing crystals. I looked for old materials I already had in my home for this project: using an old shoebox for the base platform that keeps the breadboard and jumper wires hidden, and an illustration board I used for past activities for the foundation of the cave. For the crystals I used old plastic folders, beads, and old plastic cups hot glued together to form their shapes. In making the details of the cave, I used crumpled paper, sponge, and spray paint, to make my output more lively.
I was inspired by my love for nature and its ambiguity, because ever since I was younger I've always had an appreciation for nature and animals, so I decided to integrate that here for this project.
10. GlowTide Lantern
Made by Sittie Aleah Macaponggis.
My project is a handcrafted lantern that combines creativity and technology, made from simple materials like popsicle sticks, book plastic cover, yarn, and thin rattan ropes, all integrated with an Arduino Kit. This lantern can serve as both a decorative piece and a functional lamp, making it a versatile addition to any home.
At its core, the project showcases the fusion of artistry with electronics, highlighting not just the physical design but the technical aspects as well. Through careful coding and precise wiring, I’ve brought the lantern to life using four distinct LED patterns: blinking, running lights, fading effect, and random values. Each lighting pattern enhances the visual appeal, creating dynamic and interactive light displays.
This project is more than just aesthetically pleasing; it represents the culmination of everything I’ve learned over the past quarter. Building this LED lantern from scratch was a rewarding journey that tested my problem-solving skills and creativity. The outcome, a beautifully illuminated lantern, stands as a testament to the effort and hard work that made it all possible.
9. Arduino-City Night Lights Shadow Box
Made by Sebastien Enzo Abiva.
The Arduino-City Night Lights Shadow Box is a creative and interactive display that combines art with technology. This unique product features a cityscape design that comes to life with customizable LED lights powered by Arduino. The Arduino allows users to program the lights to simulate various effects, such as blinking, running, fading, or parallel connections to mimic real city night lights. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts, the shadow box offers both a visually stunning city scene and the opportunity to learn about basic electronics and programming. It's an ideal project for students like me, hobbyists, or anyone interested in combining art and technology.
My inspiration for making the Arduino-City Night Lights Shadow Box would come from the beauty of city skylines at night. The way buildings glow with lights from windows, streetlamps, and cars creates a peaceful and magical atmosphere. I’d think about a place I love, maybe my own city or a famous skyline, and try to capture that feeling. The contrast between dark night and bright city lights would make the design look cozy and alive, like a little window into the nighttime city world.
8. The Face in the Dark or Face the Truth
Made by Klaire Xyna Rodriguez.
Description:
A mask/face with a black background that is horror-themed and covered in fake blood and visual effects. A new style for Halloween decoration and more, fitted for horror houses. The mask can be removed and worn for horror costumes as well.
Inspiration:
A mix of Horror/Thriller movies and characters; Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Boy, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees. And the concept of ‘Beauty is Pain’.
Materials:
Illustration Board, Paper Mache, Paper mask, glue, paint, paper foam, 6 red LEDs, 2 Blue LEDs, 17 male-to-male jumper-wires, 4 female-to-female jumper-wires, tape, 1 breadboard, Guizdino IDE, power-bank, USB-cable, metal wires(to keep the mask up), red yarn.
7. Storm's Birthday Cake LEDs
Made by Andrea Gica.
Description:
With this LED Birthday Cake, you can remember your cat's special day! This delicious-tasting cake, which was inspired by my own cat's birthday celebration is crafted using premium cat-safe materials. Your pet will like the joyful mood that it creates because it is illuminated with vibrant and fun LED lights. This cake is ideal for birthdays or any other celebration, ensuring happy and exciting memories. For Storm to give her a memorable experience that mixes fun and joy!
Inspiration:
Almost a year ago, my brother’s friend rescued baby Storm, a little Persian kitten at the village in Silver Creek. My brother decided to bring Storm home since weeks passed by and no one was taking Storm in or neither we found her real owners. To me, Storm brought so many joys and memories to my family and me. Without Storm in my life, life would be so different and hard. Coming home from an exhausting day at work or school or any place, Storm would always meow and comfort you bringing you comfort and love. I wanted to give back the love Storm gave to me and my family with this cake and the patience and love I gave to create this masterpiece.
6. AC Jurial Airlines ft. Keroppi
Made by Amber Charizze Jurial.
Just as the name describes it, my output is a model of an airport! Equipped with a working runway and tower light powered by Arduino. All items besides the white LEDs are things found at home or recycled. And of course, it’s no real airline if it isn’t run by Keroppi. I believe that not everything has to have a practical everyday use for it to be important. I believe that my project can inspire kids to become interested in not only learning Arduino but also trying something new!
My Arduino project was inspired by 2 things.
• Lack of Keroppi only merch
• Homemade toys as a child.
Keroppi is a little more popular than most Sanrio characters, but why doesn’t he have his own line of merch everywhere like Hello Kitty!! That’s why I decided to make him the face of my project (hehe) on a more serious note, growing up my father would rather build me toys than buy me them. So, every doll house, play kitchen, and study table were made by him. Now that he's not physically able to do such things for my youngest brother, I decided to make this runway for him to play with so he could experience that feeling of having something made especially for you.
5. 4-Season Lantern
Made by Chloe Louise Barros.
The 4 Season Lantern is a unique light or lantern that changes to reflect the beauty of each season. It can help as a source for relaxation and enjoyment for people of their surroundings all year round. On the Spring side, the lantern glows with soft yet colorful colors and floral designs, reflecting a landscape of spring, and creating a peaceful and refreshing space. The Summer side fills the room with bright green color, making it feel like a relaxing day at the beach.
On the Autumn Mode side, the lantern gives off a cozy, red fading glow with falling leaf patterns, perfect for unwinding during cool evenings. And lastly, the Winter side brings a calm yet chaotic wintry glow with icy designs, creating a chilly and festive atmosphere. The 4 Season Lantern helps people feel more connected to nature and their environment, making any space more calming, cozy, and enjoyable year-round. It also serves as a source for decoration and can bring any side of the house come to live.
Inspiration/Background:
- Initially, I wanted to make a stage that lights up a music box. But it drastically changes over the course of the day. I wanted to incorporate a certain theme, in which I immediately thought of the '4 seasons' (the actual seasons, not the drink). And I thought it would be cool making a night lamp, just like the one I have in my room, which lights up and has different light effects displayed.
- However, I wanted each season to have a different uniqueness to it, if I had to say. So having different colored LEDs displayed for a specific season would be a perfect fit. Or so I thought... Basically having designs of each season will make it quite confusing on which LED is representing it. I went through digging in my thoughts and thought that a box like a night lamp would be the best fitting choice.
- But alas, ideas of mine never stick too long. I searched through Google to find inspiration on a 4 seasons night lamp and stumbled across an image of a lantern instead. The design was really pretty and I wanted to use it instead of making a box as a night lamp.. Since lanterns are box-shaped, you get what I mean.
- Then! And then! Then, then.. I had a brilliant idea! Since there are 4 faces of lantern and 4 seasons, and the required amount of effects is 4.. Why not dedicate each one to a side? So basically 1 season has a special effect and a specific LED to represent it. And well. That's basically how I got the inspiration to make my lantern and yeah:)
4. Firefly Dance
Made by Gzerra Fabria.
DESCRIPTION:
This product captures the enchanting ambiance of a magical night by the river, featuring glowing lily pads and flickering fireflies to evoke the serene beauty of nature. The gentle, rhythmic lighting provides a calming atmosphere, making it ideal for relaxation and stress relief. As a decorative piece, it enhances the aesthetic of homes or gardens, creating a tranquil and romantic setting. It also serves as an educational tool, demonstrating basic Arduino concepts such as LED control and programming for beginners.
By bringing elements of the natural world indoors, it fosters an appreciation for nature’s beauty. This project is perfect for creating peaceful, ambient lighting that soothes the mind while teaching the wonders of technology. Ultimately, it blends art and technology to transform any space into a magical, relaxing haven.
INSPIRATION:
This product was inspired by the movie The Princess and the Frog, particularly the enchanting scene where Tiana and Prince Naveen share a romantic dance along the river, surrounded by glowing fireflies and lily pads. Watching this magical moment filled me with a sense of nostalgia and a longing to recreate the peaceful, dreamlike beauty of the bayou. Recently, I began rewatching my favorite childhood movies, and the charm of this particular scene struck a deep emotional chord, reminding me of the sense of wonder and tranquility it evoked when I first watched it.
I wanted to capture that feeling of magic and translate it into this project—a combination of technology and nature that brings the glow of the river’s lily pads and the flicker of fireflies into reality. This project is my way of honoring those cherished memories and bringing that fairy tale atmosphere into the world, blending the comfort of nostalgia with the creativity of interactive lighting design. My goal was to create something that invokes the same warmth and magic I felt as a child, while also showcasing the beauty of nature through LED lighting and Arduino technology.
3. Elemental Night Lamp
Made by Azel Christi Baguhin.
Introducing the Elemental Night Lamp: a stunning blend of creativity, sustainability, and meaning. Crafted from recycled materials, this lamp not only lights up your space but also illuminates your understanding of the world around you.
Elemental Design Inspiration: (Based on the 5 basic elements)
- Earth: Green and brown bottles symbolize nature, bringing a sense of calm and stability.
- Fire: Bright red and orange bottles create warmth and a cozy atmosphere.
- Air and Water: Clear and blue bottles represent freshness and tranquility, filling your room with peace.
- Ether: The central purple bottle brings everything together, representing balance and harmony.
Reason: To make the 5 basic elements of the Earth memorable and unforgettable to students. Colorful lights emit calmness and dreamy vibes helping us sleep easier.
This lamp is more than just a light; it’s a unique piece that starts conversations and reminds us of our connection to nature. With its sustainable design, you can enjoy a beautiful glow while helping the environment.
2. Waste Light Wonders: Wall-E
Made by Joe Nicholas Asuncion
My Arduino project is a model of Wall-E made out of cardboard, with working LED lights controlled by code. The LEDs represent different parts of Wall-E’s world, like his eyes and the broken lights of nearby buildings, creating a cool, dynamic effect. I used simple materials like cardboard, paint, and paper to build the structure, while keeping all the wires hidden inside the base to keep it looking clean.
This product helps people understand basic electronics and coding by showing how LEDs and an Arduino can create interactive, real-world effects. It also raises awareness about environmental issues through Wall-E's story, reminding us of the importance of reducing waste and taking care of our planet.
The inspiration for my project came from the movie Wall-E, which has a strong message about taking care of the environment. In the movie, Wall-E is left behind to clean up a polluted Earth, and I wanted to capture that theme by adding a worn, dirty look to my model. It also made me think about how important it is to take care of our planet and reduce waste, which I reflected in the details like the fake trash around Wall-E.
1. Guy Manuel de Homem Christo – Daft Punk Helmet
Made by Jaden Seth Say.
Description:
My product is a helmet from the electronic music duo Daft Punk. It contains 8 LEDs. 4 red LEDs, 2 green LEDs and 2 blue LEDs. The LEDs light up in specific patterns. It includes blinking, fading and randoms. With this product, I can inspire others to learn robotics. Making people realize how fun and cool robotics and programming can be!
Materials used for the frame is mainly cardboard, with an illustration board for the screen of the helmet. And gold paper for the outside design.
As you can see, the breadboard and the wires are not covered, I did that on purpose based on the actual design of the helmet.
Inspiration:
The helmet that I made was inspired by my favorite electric French robot duo Daft Punk. I specifically chose the helmet of Guy Manuel de Homem Christo since it suits me more. This was his helmet during the Discovery Era. For their album Discovery in March 2001. Hits in this album include: “One More Time,” “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,”” Digital Love” and “Something About Us.”
I loved their music since I was in 7th grade. And now that I created one of their helmets, I can’t express my happiness. The LEDs really were useful since Daft Punk are DJs, so it suits the disco vibe.
Watch all the projects in this video:
The Real Reward
Teaching Arduino is more than just explaining code or wiring circuits—it’s about seeing the lightbulb moments when students realize they’ve created something from scratch. The excitement of being able to control physical objects like LEDs through programming is what makes Arduino interesting. These projects showed just how far you can take something as simple as an LED and make it into something creative, practical, or fun.
Looking forward to seeing what they come up with next!
