Eyes on learning

Peter Salzano spent hours making time.

With an 80-page technical manual, soldering equipment and 150 tiny pieces, Salzano built a binary clock from scratch over several days.

“This is 10 times harder than the phone I made last year,” he said.

The phone and clock are year-end projects for students in robotics and electronics classes at Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center in south Everett.

Sno-Isle is a public school providing technical training to students from more than a dozen school districts. It is run by the Mukilteo School District.

Salzano predicts the clock will become a conversation piece because few visitors will know what they are looking at.

“I want to put it in my room and have people ask, ‘What’s that?’ and show off my knowledge,” said Salzano, who splits his school days between Sno-Isle and AIM High School in the Snohomish School District.

His device doesn’t look like a conventional clock. Instead of numbers, time is shown by lights and is computed with a mathematical code that is based on the power of two – or ones and zeros.

The binary system is used internally in computers.

Sno-Isle robotics and electronics teacher Karen Coulombe said she looks for projects that students will find challenging and different.

The binary clock is one of them.

“Students want to show they can use and apply their skills and this is unique to the geek, if you will,” she said.

Dylan Fenter, 17, a Snohomish High School senior, was building his clock last week a few feet away from Salzano in the Sno-Isle classroom.

He has wanted to become an electrician since he was a youngster.

He will keep his clock in plain view, too, and expects to field plenty of “What’s that?” questions.

He won’t get into the minute details, the technical names of parts he had to test to make sure they worked, the tools he used or how he read the schematics and identified all the components.

Mainly, he just likes the idea of getting to use more of his handiwork.

“The phone I made is hanging on my wall,” he said. “I use it all the time. Hey, I’ve got to use it. I made it.”

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.