Stemoto LogoStemoto
Back to Directory

A Day at the Beach (Smart Group Counter & Tens-Grouping Machine)

Source:

Children drop plastic seashells onto a smart chute equipped with dual IR beam sensors. The system counts shells in groups of 2, 5, or 10, displaying live skip-counting totals on a matrix LED display with audio cheer feedback.

Categorisation

Props & Materials Required

  • •Plastic seashells or pebbles (30 items)
  • •Cardboard funnel/chute base
  • •ESP32 / micro:bit V2 controller
  • •Dual IR break-beam sensors
  • •8x8 LED matrix display
  • •DFPlayer Mini MP3 module + 3W speaker

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Set the Counting Mode

Select skip-counting mode on the controller (Groups of 2, 5, or 10).

2

Drop Seashells Down the Funnel

Drop seashells down the cardboard chute in groups of 5. As each group passes the IR sensor gate, the speaker counts aloud: '5... 10... 15... 20!'

3

Watch the Matrix Display

The 8x8 LED matrix shows the running skip-count number in large digits.

4

Group Verification Challenge

Drop 25 shells in groups of 5. Speaker asks: 'How many total seashells?' Child checks display to confirm: 25!

Why It Works & Notes

Skip-counting in groups of 2s, 5s, and 10s is easier to learn when children physically group concrete objects (seashells). Dual IR beam sensors provide instant visual and acoustic verification of how many groups were formed.