74HC595 Shift Register Clock

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A seven-segment clock driven through 74HC595 shift registers using only a few Pico pins.

Source book: Clocks and Watches
Kit page: https://dmccreary.github.io/clocks-and-watches/kits/shift-register-clock/
Printable one-pager: shift-register-clock-one-pager.html

Features

• Lab: Clock Main
• Lab: Sample ChatGPT Prompt

Benefits

• Free, open lessons: the Clocks and Watches textbook has the kit page, wiring, and MicroPython code.
• Ready-made curriculum: 2 additional lab pages walk students through the build step by step.
• Budget: about $11 (estimate: shift registers about $1 for ten, a 4-digit 7-segment display about $1; Pico $4, breadboard $2, wires $1, USB cable $2).

Parts

• Raspberry Pi Pico ($4) — Microcontroller
• 74HC595 Shift Register — Output expander
• 830-Point Breadboard ($1.10) — Breadboard
• Micro-USB Data Cable ($2.50) — Power and programming cable