Lights, Motors, Action: A Making Studio Roundup
Building Arduino circuits and writing C++ was a central focus of the class of 2026’s first-semester Making Studio course with Becky Stern.
Here are some of our favorite projects from this class, in which students designed, built, and code electronic solutions for problems ranging from habit-building, being too noisy in the library, and working out smarter— not harder.
Ben Hone’s Magic Sports Betting 8-Ball
Designed for avid sports fans looking for action on the next game, Ben Hone has reimagined the Magic 8 Ball in the context of AI and sports betting. Using Arduino’s ESP32 Nano to query ChatGPT, the Magic 8 Ball returns underexploited market opportunities for current sporting events.
With an integrated vibration sensor, just shake the 8-ball to query ChatGPT through an API Key. ChatGPT then scours the daily betting markets to identify market inefficiencies—taking into account betting markets, performance trends, opponent analysis, and similar game scenarios to identify one bet opportunity at a time. Learn how to make one yourself!
Tong Zhao’s Habit Spark
Tong Zhao has reimagined habit-building, specifically for those of us who need an extra delightful push to change our ways. Tong’s Habit Spark is a 7-switch box—each day you complete a task, you flip one switch. After successfully completing tasks for 7 consecutive days, the box explodes in a celebration of colorful confetti, encouraging you to cultivate your habits in 7-day cycles.
Zip Light by Eva Mo
Industrial designer Eva Mo offers a smart take on the banker’s desk lamp with Zip Light. Designed for libraries or quiet study spaces, this sound-responsive lamp flashes when a certain noise threshold is met, serving as a subtle reminder to keep noise levels down. Check out the video below to see how the Zip Light gets the party started after hours ;)
Acceptus by Lauren Palazzi
Lauren Palazzi gives her take on smart-lighting with Acceptus: an organic, sculptural lighting solution that uses intelligent motion-sensing technology to bring comfort to your living space. As you open the door or walk by, the sconce detects your presence, gently fading on to create a soft, inviting glow. No more harsh overhead lights or dark, unwelcoming entryways—just a subtle, comforting illumination that greets you and instantly makes your space feel more welcoming. Perfect for those weary from long workdays, especially during the dark and cold winter months when returning home can feel uninspiring.
Sofia Grystenko’s On-The-Go Fish Synthesizer
PoD’s resident DJ, Sofia Grystenko, designed a fish-inspired portable synthesizer for on-the-go music creators. This compact, user-friendly, battery-powered device is perfect for spontaneous jam sessions, street performances, or personal audio experimentation, providing a versatile range of sounds and effects—making it an ideal tool for music lovers who want to enjoy creative synthesis anytime and anywhere. Catch her radio show on WSVA on Wednesday nights at 7pm!
3D-printed fish-scale inspired cases.
Explore more projects from the class of 2026 on the Making Studio Blog!
