PREPARING STUDENTS FOR STEM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: AUTOMATED WATERING SYSTEM

In this project, an automated water dispenser system was designed and tested using the Arduino platform and modern sensor technologies. The research addresses the growing relevance of automation in everyday life, particularly in managing water usage efficiently while reducing human labor and energy consumption. The system automatically detects the presence of a cup, pours water, monitors the reservoir level, and provides an audio alert when full. Using engineering modeling, prototyping, and experimental testing, students created a working prototype and optimized the control algorithm for accuracy and energy efficiency. The results demonstrated that the device significantly improves safety, time management, and resource conservation. Thus, the project not only enhances the quality of STEM education but also fosters students’ creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills through real-world engineering applications.