1. Potential Future Improvements
Marketable, Stackable Seed Starter Kit
Senior Design Project 16419
Team Members : Cheyo Rogers (ME), Stephen Piatkowski (ME), Chidum Okoye (ME), Muhamad Sohimi Ibrahim (IE)
Faculty Guide : Sarah Brownell
Problem Statement
Rochester Roots, a local non-profit organization, in conjunction with the Montessori School requested a seed starter kit to be built to help educate students on the life cycle of plants and contribute to STEM education. A seed starter kit is a semi-enclosed unit that allows the user to place seeds inside the unit and monitor aspects of their growth with the goal of planting during the harsh winter and transplanting them outside in the spring.
Key Objectives
1. Design a small frame that can be stackable and fit on countertops in the classroom and at homes.
2. Provide a light source to provide energy for plant growth.
3. Provide sensors to measure light intensity, soil moisture, and temperature.
4. Display sensor readings to allow for students and teachers to monitor the conditions.
From Top Left CW: Muhamad, Chidum, Cheyo, and Steve
Project Timeline
November – Concept Selection
Engineering and Customer Requirements
Benchmarking
Brainstorming Concepts
Evaluation of concepts
Selecting the concept
December – Sub-System Level Design
Frame
Lights
Sensors and Display
Validation of each subsystem
Bill of Materials
Risk Management
January – System Level Design
System level validation
Putting sub-systems together
Attaching lights, sensors, and displays to frame
February – System Building
Complete the building process
Purchase any other parts missed
Problem tracking
March – Testing and validation
Completion of test plans
Reviewing test results
Confirm results and progress with Customer
April – Documentation
Assembly Instructions
Drawing Package
Paper and Poster
May – Finished Model
Complete working model
Deliver to customer
Imagine RIT
Lighting Wavelength
Final Design
Usage Flowchart
Kit is received and assembled per instructions.
Kit is plugged in and timer is set to desired amount of time to run grow light.
User places standard seed tray into unit and places sensors in the unit.
User records temperature, soil moisture and amount of light at desired intervals via display.
Seeds can be transplanted to garden once weather is tolerable or are too big for the starter kit.
Wiring Diagram
Sensor Accuracy
Stacking
Test Plans
Potential Future Improvements
Figure out potential ways to reduce costs.
Design alternative methods for the screen siding.
Use of a larger display.