“As I was getting into the back to school mood this year, I was researching effective study habits and came across a technique called the Pomodoro Technique that caught my attention. The way it works is you work for 25 minutes straight, then take a 5 minute break. Then you set the timer for another 25 minutes and the process repeats. Each cycle of 25 minute work and 5 minute break is called a “pomodoro”, and after 4 pomodoros you take a longer, 15-30 minute break (see diagrams in Step 1 for a visual representation).
The purpose of the Pomodoro Technique is to prevent you from burning out, and I can confirm that it works effectively. However, when I was first trying the technique it was a hassle to switch between 25 and 5 minute timers on my iPhone. This is why I designed the Pomdoro Tomato: a 3D printed tomato shaped clock that, with the push of a button, automatically triggers the sequence of timers so you don’t have to worry about it. There are two buzzers as well that beep when the 25-min and 5-min timers are up. By pushing the button again, the screen goes back to the clock.
The Pomodoro Technique doesn’t apply to just students, however. Anyone can use it to take periodic breaks and avoid burning out.
The materials needed for this project include:
1. 3D Printer
2. Red and Green 3D printer filament
3. Arduino Nano
4. Active Buzzer (x2)
5. Real Time Clock Module
6. 4 pin Button
7. 4-digit 7-segment display
8. 220 Ohm Resistor (x2)
9. 1K Ohm Resistor (x2)
10. Mini Breadboard
11. Male to Female jumper wires
12. 3mm diameter 1mm height magnets
13. Solder Kit
14. Gorilla Super Glue Gel”