At the heart of the Open Sauce science festival, showcasing more than 500 innovative maker projects for attendees to explore
Open Sauce Festival: A Celebration of Creativity and Innovation
The Open Sauce festival, held in San Mateo, California, is a unique event that brings together inventors, makers, and YouTubers in a science fair-style setting [1]. Founded by YouTuber and engineer William Osman, the festival aims to foster a vibrant community centered around STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, innovation, and maker culture [2].
At Open Sauce, attendees can expect a wide variety of hands-on exhibits, live demos, and community connections [1]. One of the highlights of this year's event was the showcase of projects aimed at launching businesses. Andrew Swaim, for instance, presented his Kit of Plants Kickstarter, a unique project featuring handcrafted fire-resistant paper and 3D printed parts [4].
The festival also showcased a plethora of interesting 3D printed projects. Rob Cockerham demonstrated a script to print any name on a 3D printer in about 46 seconds, using a stock 2016 Creality CR10 [5]. Other projects included a 500% copy of a gaming laptop, a dragon skeleton, and 3D printed brass instruments [6]. Bobby Duke Arts even created a dragon skeleton using a hand-held 3D pen and a Dremel tool, which was on display in the Creator Museum [7].
In addition to 3D printing, Open Sauce also featured plastic recycling techniques. A local branch of Precious Plastic demonstrated their methods, using a mold carved with a CNC machine to create Open Sauce coasters [8].
Open Sauce is not just about showcasing projects; it's also about fostering collaboration and networking among like-minded individuals [3]. YouTube creators were invited to host panels, presentations, and share strategies for becoming a successful YouTuber. This year, Jeff Geerling's vlog on his second channel, Level 2 Jeff, featured more Open Sauce goodness from an electronics nerd [9].
The festival also supports creators in gaining exposure and feedback from a community that appreciates innovative work [3]. No Bitrate's Alex Corea, for example, showcased a fully functional, 370-pound, 500% copy of a 16-inch Alienware X16 gaming laptop [6]. Elegoo brought several 3D printed games for visitors to play and the yet to be released Jupiter 2, a 16K resin printer with a 14-inch LCD screen [10].
Ben Heath and his dad brought 3D printed brass instruments, including bugles, a natural horn, and a trombone, for visitors to experience [11]. Osman believes that Open Sauce inspires the next generation of engineers by showcasing fun, interesting engineering projects [2].
In conclusion, Open Sauce provides a dynamic environment that nurtures creativity, practical learning, and ongoing engagement in STEM fields for both creators and attendees alike [3]. By breaking down barriers to participation and promoting educational outreach and inclusivity, Open Sauce is helping to make STEM fields more accessible to a diverse range of creators and learners.
At Open Sauce, visitors can observe and engage with a multitude of exhibits, where technology and gadgets, such as 3D printed items, are showcased and often demonstrated in live demos [1, 5, 6, 8, 11]. Furthermore, the festival offers a platform for innovators to display their projects aimed at launching new businesses, like Andrew Swaim's Kit of Plants Kickstarter [4].
