Emotion box – An Inclusive SEL System

Before starting the physical work, draw a rough design of how your emotion box should look.

Plan where the emojis, buttons, LEDs, and buzzer will be placed. Think about spacing, accessibility, wiring space inside the box, and overall appearance.

This initial sketch helps you visualize the complete system and avoid mistakes during construction.

Select a suitable box (wooden, plastic, or sturdy cardboard) that will hold all electronic components safely.

Draw a rough sketch on the top surface to plan the placement of emojis, buttons, and LEDs.

Mark positions carefully to ensure proper spacing, visibility, and easy access before cutting or drilling.

Cut a card sheet exactly the same size as the top surface of the box.

Place it over the box and lightly transfer the reference lines and circle markings made earlier.

Redraw the circles neatly for emojis and button positions.

Draw and design the emotion faces and symbols carefully inside the marked circles.

Use a scale for measurements and a compass, circular objects, or a protractor to draw neat circles for the emoji faces and button placements.

Fix the paper with tape on the surface of box

Choose appropriate colors for each emotion. You may use the same color theme or different colors for each emoji.

Colors can represent emotions, for example:

Yellow – Happiness, positivity

Blue – Calmness or sadness

Red – Anger or strong emotions

Green – Balance and peace

Purple – Stress or mixed emotions

Carefully color inside the outlines and allow sufficient drying time.

Ensure the sheet is completely dry before cutting holes or fixing LEDs and buttons.

Note:

Although components can be placed earlier, it is better to complete coloring first. This allows the paint to dry while you prepare other materials and prevents smudging or accidental damage during installation.

• Use a needle-like tool or pointed object to carefully pierce small holes for the LED pins.
• Use scissors or a cutter to make slightly larger holes for push buttons and the buzzer.
• Cut gradually and check the fit frequently.
• Ensure each component fits tightly (press fit) without being loose.
• Avoid making holes too large, as this may cause components to move or tilt.

This step ensures proper alignment and a clean, professional finish.

1. Identify Inputs and Outputs
2. Define System Logic
3. Write Basic Algorithm

For each emotion:

• Gradually increase LED brightness (Inhale)
• Gradually decrease LED brightness (Exhale)
• Increase buzzer frequency with brightness
• Decrease buzzer frequency with dimming

Why This Step Is Important

• Prevents wiring mistakes
• Helps students understand input–output systems
• Builds computational thinking
• Makes coding easier and more structured

RGB LED Connections (Common Cathode)

• Connect the common cathode (longest negative pin) of all RGB LEDs to Arduino GND.
• Connect each color pin (Red, Green, Blue) through a 220Ω resistor to Arduino PWM pins.

Arduino Uno has only 6 PWM pins (3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11).

Example mapping:

• Happy (Green) → Pin 3
• Calm (Blue) → Pin 5
• Sad (Green + Red) → Pins 6 & 9
• Angry (Red) → Pin 10
• Stressed (Purple = Red + Blue together) → Pin 11

Since PWM pins are limited, I connected Red and Blue pins of the last RGB LED (Purple emotion) together to one PWM pin.

Important Notes:

• For better independent color control, you can:
• Use Arduino Mega (more PWM pins), or
• Use single-color 2-pin LEDs for each emotion instead of RGB LEDs.

Push Button Connections

• Connect one terminal of all buttons together (short them).
• Connect this common line to GND of Arduino.
• Connect the second terminal of each button to separate digital input pins:

Example:

• Happy → Pin 2
• Calm → Pin 4
• Sad → Pin 7
• Angry → Pin 8
• Stressed → Pin 12

Buzzer Connection

• Connect positive pin of buzzer to Pin 13 (or any digital output pin).
• Connect negative pin of buzzer to GND.

Final Checks

• Verify all common grounds are connected properly.
• Ensure resistors are used for all LED color pins.
• Double-check RGB pin order (R-G-B may vary by manufacturer).
• Test one LED and one button before testing full system.

1. Connect the Arduino to the computer using a USB cable.
2. Open the Arduino IDE and load the finalized code for the Emotion Box.
3. Important:

• Temporarily unplug the LED common cathode (GND) wire connected to Arduino GND before uploading the code.
• This helps avoid upload issues caused by LEDs drawing current during programming.

1. Select the correct Board (Arduino Uno) and Port in the Arduino IDE.
2. Click Upload and wait until the upload is complete.
3. After successful upload, reconnect the LED GND wire.
4. Press each button one by one to test the LEDs and buzzer.
5. You can use Power Bank or Adapter for powering the device. Adapter is recommended if you are planning to install it in calming corner. Good backup battery can be used if you are going to use it as a SEL teaching aid

Cut small circular pieces of butter paper, tracing paper,foam sheet, frosted acrylic sheet, or thin white plastic slightly larger than the LED hole.

Place the diffuser material over or in front of the LED opening.

Fix it securely using glue or tape from the inside of the box.

Ensure the diffuser does not block the light completely.

Power the device and check that the light spreads evenly and appears soft.

1. Take modeling clay or air-dry clay.
2. Create simple raised symbols to represent each emotion. For example:

• Happy → Raised curved smile
• Calm → Smooth wave line
• Sad → Downward curve
• Angry → Sharp zigzag lines
• Stressed → Repeated wavy lines

1. Keep the shapes bold, simple, and easy to feel with fingers.
2. Attach the clay symbols carefully inside or below each emoji circle.
3. Allow the clay to dry completely before handling.
4. Ensure symbols are firmly fixed and edges are smooth (not sharp).

Take a printout of the emoji sticker PDF provided in the attachment

cut it and paste it on the box

1. Power the Arduino with power bank or suitable adapter(9v to 12v).
2. Press each emotion button one by one and observe:

• LED breathing (fade in–fade out)
• Buzzer pitch increasing during inhale
• Buzzer pitch decreasing during exhale

1. Confirm that each emotion works independently and correctly.
2. If desired, apply 7 cm printed emoji stickers instead of painted designs for a cleaner and more professional finish.
3. Make final adjustments if any component is loose or misaligned.

Click this link to see testing video