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.