What about some sort of detection system, like IR cameras, installed in the wheel well? These might also be useful to confirm landing gear extension in case the indication fails.
If you have no idea what a well used undercarriage bay looks like, you will see why not. Everything is coated in mud/grease/squirted hydraulic fluid from occasional leaks/oil. Try putting that on a lens- as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike. You students have great ideas on scientific innovations- you need time getting your hands dirty seeing aeroplanes work hard to get some realism. A video camera in a landing gear bay subjected to mud/grease/-65 deg C/+50 deg C will last as long as my Sears garage door opener at 240v.