Open Sauce is an annual convention focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) held at the Cow Palace in Daly City, in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Established in 2023 by YouTube creator and engineer William Osman, the event brings together content creators, engineers, and fans of innovative technology to showcase and celebrate creativity and engineering prowess.[2] It features a wide range of activities including exhibitions, panels, workshops, and live demonstrations.[3]

Open Sauce
StatusActive
GenreSTEM
VenueCow Palace
Location(s)Daly City, California, U.S.
CountryUnited States
InauguratedJuly 15, 2023; 11 months ago (2023-07-15)
Most recentJune 15, 2024; 22 days ago (2024-06-15)
Next event2025; 1 year's time (2025)
Attendance>20,000 (2024)[1]
A man wears a back-mounted 3D printer while operating a 237% scale model of a 1986 Macintosh Plus at Open Sauce

History and organization

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Initial concept and launch

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YouTuber William Osman founded Open Sauce in 2023 to provide a venue for science and engineering enthusiasts to connect and showcase their work. The event was designed to reflect the kind of event Osman would have loved as a teenager.[3] The first Open Sauce event was held at San Francisco's Pier 35.[4] It attracted over 10,000 attendees and featured 150 exhibitors.[3]

 
A competitor in a Power Wheels racing event at Open Sauce

Growth

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Since its inception, Open Sauce has more than doubled in size and scope. By 2024, the event moved to the Cow Palace in Daly City to accommodate the over 20,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors,[1] reflecting its increasing popularity and the growing interest in STEM fields.

Event features

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Exhibitions

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The event showcases a wide array of creative and often whimsical technology projects, including a U-Haul truck converted into a massive camera, a musical Tesla coil performance, and a drivable bunk bed.[1] These exhibitions are designed to inspire curiosity and foster a hands-on learning experience.[5]

 
A musical Tesla coil performance takes place at Open Sauce

Panels and workshops

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Open Sauce features a series of panels and workshops led by prominent figures in the science and technology community. Notable speakers have included Adam Savage of MythBusters fame and former NASA engineer Mark Rober.[3] Topics often cover advancements in technology, practical engineering challenges, and career advice in the STEM fields.

 
William Osman chats with featured creators during a panel

Industry Day

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Introduced in 2024, Industry Day precedes the main event and includes panels and discussions with leaders from major companies and startups.[6]

Notable participants

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Recurrent participants at Open Sauce include well-known content creators and engineers such as Adam Savage, Mark Rober, and Colin Furze, alongside startups and established companies in the tech industry. The event has also attracted sponsorship and participation from influential tech companies.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Shepherd, Ian. "Meet The YouTube Stars Bringing Their Crazy Creations To Open Sauce". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  2. ^ Perelli, Amanda. "Inside the rise of STEM influencers: 3 key takeaways from a conference that serves as a huge science fair for YouTubers". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  3. ^ a b c d Hale, James (2024-04-25). "William Osman's STEM convention Open Sauce returns for second year, will feature 150 content creators". Tubefilter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  4. ^ "Open Sauce Recap - Experiential Robotics". experientialrobotics.org. 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  5. ^ "William Osman takes us into one of the internet's biggest tech showcases in Open Sauce 2024". Dexerto. 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  6. ^ Hale, James (2024-05-28). "YouTube, Mythical, Smosh, Roblox, and more: A peek at Open Sauce's Industry Day programming". Tubefilter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  7. ^ "DigiKey to Exhibit and Giveaway Multiple XRP Open-Robotics Platforms at Open Sauce 2024". Yahoo Finance. 2024-06-06. Retrieved 2024-07-02.