By Karen Krynen, DBTI Director of Communications

(Rosemead, California) – Last summer, Don Bosco Technical Institute’s rising junior, Marcos Posada (CSEE ’27), made a last-minute trip to a science and engineering convention that completely changed his life in the best possible way, he tells us!

In 2024, Marcos attended OpenSauce, where engineers, hobbyists, and artists gather under the umbrella term “makers” to showcase wild projects. Think Maker Faire, but curated by YouTubers.

Founded by William Osman in 2023, the event more than doubled in size and scope to more than 20,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors by 2024. Learning about it the week prior to the event, Marcos attended as a spectator.

“I didn’t know it then, but that trip lit a fire under me that would burn for the next year straight,” Marcos says. “I saw projects from regular people—people like me—doing insane stuff. I walked out of that venue knowing I’d be back, but next time not as a spectator. I’d return with something that would make people stop in their tracks.”

And stop in their tracks they did! Using high-tech skills and industry equipment from the Tech, Marcos designed and built a giant walking, six-legged HEXBUG Spider toy robot. The process was ‘a year-long grind’ for the honor student, especially when coupled with a rigorous course load that included studying for his AP classes and maintaining a super high GPA!

A highlight of the entire 2025 OpenSauce experience: upon seeing the robot in action, William Osman himself pronounced it ‘sick,’ and shared with Marcos that he wasn’t building anything like it when he was in high school!

Marcos is already planning next year’s exhibit entry (hint: it might be a fully autonomous drone!) Read about his amazing experience in his own words, what famous YouTubers met his HEXBUG, and the helpful people to whom he is grateful.