Build a digital hourglass featuring dual LED matrix displays and an orientation sensor that simulates trickling sand as you flip the timer.
No prior knowledge required!
Gravity & Orientation Sensors: An easy introduction to accelerometers and how smart devices detect when they are flipped, tilted, or rotated.
Digital LED Displays: Learning how microcontrollers control LED grid matrices to animate individual "grains of sand" falling in real time.
Component Assembly & Enclosures: Hands-on experience placing circuit modules, switches, and displays securely inside a 3D-printed hourglass chassis.
Recommended Ages: Middle school, high school, and adults (Ages 11+).
Skill Level: Beginner friendly—no programming, electronics or soldering experience required.
Ideal Event Types: Tabletop gaming nights, STEAM programming, youth tech clubs, maker groups, and adult tech literacy sessions.
Max Attendance: up to 30 participants
First 15–30 Mins – Tech Intro & Discussion
An engaging opening discussion exploring how orientation sensors work in smartphones and game controllers, and how microcontrollers turn sensor data into digital animations.
Next 45 Mins – Guided Hands-On Build
Step-by-step guided assembly where attendees mount dual LED matrices, wire the accelerometer sensor and microcontroller, and secure the hardware into a custom 3D-printed enclosure.
Final 15 Mins – Testing, Customization & Wrap-Up
Flipping the hourglass timers to test orientation sensing, observing the animated falling LED "sand," troubleshooting connections, and packaging up the completed project.