Fab Lab Summer Camp: Build a Clock Circuit

at Lake Michigan College

Curious how electronics really work? In this beginner-friendly Fab Lab summer camp, students will dive into the fundamentals of digital electronics by building a working clock circuit from the ground up—no soldering required!

Over the course of the camp, participants will learn how to safely use a breadboard to assemble electronic circuits using TTL logic chips, resistors, LEDs, and timing components. Campers will explore how timing circuits create steady pulses and how those pulses drive digital systems—forming the foundation of clocks used in computers, games, and everyday devices.

With step-by-step guidance from Fab Lab instructors, students will:

• Learn how a breadboard works and how to read simple circuit diagrams
• Understand basic electronic components and their roles
• Build timing circuits that generate regular clock pulses
• Use TTL chips to control and shape digital signals
• Test, troubleshoot, and improve their circuit designs
• Watch LEDs flash and respond as their clock circuit comes to life

This camp is designed for beginners, making it perfect for students who are new to electronics or curious about how digital systems operate. Campers will gain hands-on experience, problem-solving skills, and confidence working with real electronic components—all while learning that experimenting, fixing mistakes, and trying again is part of the engineering process.

By the end of camp, each participant will understand how a clock circuit works and how timing drives modern electronics—knowledge that opens the door to robotics, computers, and future maker projects.

Perfect for curious minds who love building, experimenting, and discovering how things work—one pulse at a time!

Our camps are designed for the participants to learn to come up with problem solving techniques and "make things". Sometimes, this involves failing, returning to the original concept and trying again. We want to create an environment of trying, re-thinking the process, and trying again to make the design better. We believe this approach encourages creative thinking and determination in addition to exposing them to new technologies.

Registration for this camp closes one week prior to allow time to purchase required materials. Registration is limited. Projects are subject to change based on material availability. Once registered, you'll receive an email asking for the participant(s) name, age, and gender for our instructor's roster. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

By purchasing a ticket, you consent to following all the rules related to the Fab Lab and any others to maintain safety for all participants within the lab.

The Fab Lab is a place where students can build science, technology, engineering and math skills through hands on learning. Participating in Fab Lab activities allow students to explore and experiment with digital fabrication technology including 3D Printers, Laser Cutters, and Vinyl Cutters.

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