Beginners can especially benefit from using a Pi HAT because it reduces complexity with plug-and-play functionality. The HAT connects your Raspberry Pi to the matrix panel and retails for around $15.

This project’s powered by a Raspberry Pi that taps into Weather Underground. Once it pulls in the forecast, it displays the forecast using a word matrix that’s backed with a string of LEDs.

The Raspberry Pi Pico is connected to a set of daisy chained 8x8 LED matrix panels that use MAX7219 modules to drive them. These are off the shelf components, often found for a few dollars.