Imposter Species: A Museum Exhibit on Invasive Species
Mechanical Engineer | September 2023 - December 2023 | Boston, MA
Background
This project was inspired by the need to provide accessible and engaging educational exhibits for schools in underserved areas. Many curriculums fail to emphasize sustainability topics, and students often lack exposure to interactive learning tools that connect science with real-world applications. There were four main objectives in this project:
​
-
Education: Teach students to distinguish between invasive and native species, understand the environmental harm caused by invasive species, and learn actionable ways to mitigate their spread.
-
Engagement: Develop a fun, interactive, and competitive exhibit that captivates young learners and encourages active participation.
-
Portability: Design an exhibit that meets strict size and transportability requirements, ensuring ease of setup and teardown.
-
Innovation: Incorporate animatronics, coding, and engineering principles to create a visually appealing and technically advanced exhibit.
_JPG.jpg)
Design and Prototyping
​
Through brainstorming sessions, we developed several ideas inspired by classic games. The Whac-A-Mole idea stood out for its simplicity, competitive nature, and strong alignment with our educational goals. Using a Kepner-Tregoe Decision Analysis, we selected this idea based on criteria such as relevance, interactivity, and user appeal. Then, we created a SOLIDWORKS 3D model of the exhibit to visualize the necessary dimensions for the exhibit. Once we found the optimal design, we created a cardboard prototype, displaying where the screen and buttons of the exhibit would be placed.
​​
Final Design
​
​
​​
The exhibit featured a wooden box structure with laser-cut slots for buttons and animatronics. To create the box, wood panels were laser-cut using AutoCAD designs derived from the SolidWorks model. The panels were assembled using wood glue and clamps, leaving the back panel open for easy access to wiring and electronics. Velcro strips were added for a secure laptop stand.
​​
​A pulley system controlled by servo motors was implemented to raise and lower the Among Us figures. A string and pulley system was used, with balanced platform designs to stabilize the figures during operation. Motor calibration was also conducted through sharpie markings on pulleys along with extensive code timing adjustments to ensure consistent operation.
​​
The exhibit’s electronics were powered by an Arduino Mega 2560. Components included:
-
A breadboard for wiring servo motors and buttons.
-
SparkFun buttons connected to the Arduino to register inputs during gameplay.
-
Custom code in Arduino IDE to control game logic, motor actions, and user feedback.
-
Gameplay Logic: Code was developed to display species randomly, track scores, and progress through three game rounds.
-
Interactive GUI: Designed in Canva, the GUI presented invasive species, rules, and quiz questions.
-
Audio and Visual Enhancements: Sound effects and animated transitions were added to improve engagement.
