An educational museum exhibit that teaches children about fire safety through interactive gameplay. Designed for the Boston Children's Museum, this project combines physical play with hands-on learning about different types of fires and their corresponding extinguishers.

Overview

Flame Fighters is a ball-throwing game where players match color-coded "extinguisher" balls (red, green, and blue) to simulated fires represented by colored mist and LED lighting. Each color corresponds to a specific fire type: red for wood fires (water extinguisher), green for electrical fires (dry chemical/CO₂), and blue for cooking fires (wet chemical).

Key Features

• Interactive Gameplay: Three target holes at varying heights with integrated color sensors detect when the correct ball enters the right hole

• Visual Feedback: Color-changing LED rings and humidifiers create immersive "fire" effects that respond to player actions

• Educational Design: Teaches fire safety concepts through play-based learning, making complex information accessible to children ages 4-8

• Durable Construction: Built with wood boards and 3D-printed components, designed to withstand active museum use

Technical Implementation

• Arduino-based system with color sensors, servo motors, and LED rings

• Custom-designed funneling system ensures accurate ball detection

• Real-time feedback loop that advances gameplay as players correctly match extinguishers to fires

• Successfully demonstrated with 120+ children at the Boston Children's Museum