Makers of all sorts will be showing off their projects in this year’s Mad Science Fair coming up on Wednesday July 11th - 6pm at Lourdes High School.

The Mad Science Fair was thought up almost 10 years ago at the Palace Diner in Poughkeepsie by Joe Apuzzo, long time member of the HV Open Technology Meetup. Members of HV Open were discussing all kinds of projects they were working on over dinner. These ranged from simple blinking of LED lights, building radio equipment, to custom designing and manufacturing circuit boards overseas. “You know what would be great, if we had an old time Science Fair, but showing off all these projects to each other,” said Joe Apuzzo. “It would be like the Mad Science version of a Science Fair, a Mad Science Fair.”

And ever since then HV Open has dedicated it’s July meetup to the Mad Science Fair. Sophi Kravitz, notable local maker who works for Hack-a-day, once brought an interactive art project that pulsed light and sound based on your heartbeat. By using a pulse ox sensor, those typically used during a doctor visit, the art reacted to your own body, and made for a different experience every time a different wearer put it on.

Among the many projects this year will include robots, green screens, a learn to solder station, geothermal heating, and much more. Matthias Johnson, IT Director for Lourdes High School, is also the mentor for the Lourdes robotics team. Every year they compete in a statewide challenge to build and program robots to navigate a complex obstacle course. He’ll have some of the robots and parts of the course on display.

“It’s always a wonderful night. You find yourself learning so much, and talking with folks about incredible projects they’ve made.” said Sean Dague, founder of HV Open. “I always walk away inspired to create something new.”

The Mad Science Fair runs from 6 - 8pm on Wednesday July 11th in the Cafeteria at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie NY. For more information check out the HV Open website - http://hvopen.org.

Contacts:

HV Open:

  • Sean Dague, sean@dague.net
  • Matthias Johnson, matthias.a.johnson@gmail.com