Wearable Engineering: 2027 NerdFlare Open House Badge

At Cal Poly NerdFlare, students from across campus come together to explore where art and engineering meet. Our signature creations are electronic “badges”: wearable, custom-designed circuit boards that transform technology into art. They can glow with colorful lights, host small games, conceal playful surprises and always carry a design that is entirely their own. 

Creating a badge is “Learn by Doing” in action. Each one blends illustration, electronics, software and practical problem-solving into a tangible work of art. Each NerdFlare member is encouraged to develop designs that reflect their own interests and personalities, while learning how to turn an idea into something real. Club funds cover the manufacturing and components for these individual student projects, making this hands-on creative experience accessible to anyone eager to participate. 

For the past two years, NerdFlare has also collaboratively designed and manufactured a Cal Poly-themed badge for alumni attending the Wine & Beer Garden during Open House. These badges are fun, interactive mementos of the Cal Poly spirit and the many alumni who have helped shape it. They also include an ice-breaking game that gives attendees a playful reason to connect with one another during the event. This year, we hope to produce 500 Open House badges, and we need your support to make it possible. Donations will directly help cover costs related to manufacturing, electronic components and assembly. Your gift gives students meaningful experience in electrical and software engineering, PCB design and manufacturing, creative thinking, teamwork and real-world constraints such as budgets, physical design and supply-chain challenges. 

Please support NerdFlare and help us put 500 pieces of Cal Poly ingenuity into the hands of our alumni. Thank you for your support!