Penguicon 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

4:00pm EDT

Man I Love Frogs: An Intro to Amphibian Ecology

Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT

An hour lecture speaking on frog anatomy, the frogs in the area of the con, frogs from around the world, as well as the conservation issues facing frog species.

Speakers

Sergio Bermudez

So You Think You Can Fanon

Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Charlevoix B

Science

7:00pm EDT

Making Toys with High-voltage Electronics. Nixies, and CRT, and Magic eyes

Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 7:50pm EDT

Algonquin A

Interested in Nixies but don't know where to start? Did you ever wonder if you could make one those glowing vacuum tubes displays? Or do you just want to see lots of really interesting old display technologies. This interactive session covers the basics of these devices and how to use them. Dozens of hands-on toys and components will be shared. Resources and recommendations will be shared so that you can go away and make your own fun high-voltage devices.

Speakers

Keith Moore

Jack of no trades. Master of some. Proud father husband.,
Too many interests and hobbies to mention. Old computers, electronics, software, pre-war cars, pinball machines, pre-sound films, music, bee keeper, and more.

Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 7:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

DIY Science Technology

8:00pm EDT

The Quantum Capacitor: New Frontiers in High-Density Electrostatic Storage

Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 8:50pm EDT

Algonquin C

While supercapacitors offer rapid charge times and virtually unlimited cycle life, they have long been overshadowed by Lithium-ion batteries due to their low energy density. This is because traditional supercapacitor development has hit an engineering plateau, constrained by the scaling laws of physical surface area and liquid electrolytes. This talk introduces a shift from geometric engineering to Quantum Electronic Engineering. By utilizing the unique electronic properties of 2D solid-state heterostructures, we can move beyond the limits of traditional electrostatic storage. We will explore how 'electronic pressure' and Machine Learning-accelerated lattice design allow us to rethink charge storage at the atomic level, aiming to finally bridge the energy-density gap between supercapacitors and high-end batteries.

Speakers

Terry Howald

There is no sanctuary

I'm a physicist by training, but have spent my career working in software development and testing. I did teach physics for a bit, but now I just work in software development. I still enjoy physics though, and one of my interests is DIY energy storage. I've been an Ubuntu user since... Read More →

Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 8:50pm EDT
Algonquin C

Science Technology

8:00pm EDT

Transhumanism: How Close are we to Cyberpunk?

Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 8:50pm EDT

Algonquin A

This panel is entirely educational and is meant to teach about subjects such as biotechnology and genetic modification through the lens of Cyberpunk anime.

Speakers

Sergio Bermudez

So You Think You Can Fanon

Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 8:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Science Speculative Fiction

3:00pm EDT

A Family Friendly Chemical Magic Show

Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

Charlevoix B

A kid-friendly, family friendly series of chemistry demonstrations with prizes.

Speakers

Lady Ana (Lucy Kitchen)

Shawn Hitchcock

Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Charlevoix B

Science

4:00pm EDT

A Brief History of High-voltage Display Technologies

Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT

Charlevoix C

Before there were LEDs and TFTs, electronic devices through the 20th century required ingenious ways of delivering information to the users of radios, televisions and early computers. Think about what it would be like if you had a computer with no display screen of any kind. For almost 70 years, this was a problem for all electronics. There are hundreds of interesting technologies that tried to address this problem. Some are very practical, and others are downright crazy. And when you add in the fact that all of them run at high voltages (higher than 100 volts in most cases), it adds to the mystique. This interactive session will share this history from the 19th through the 20th century with some hands-on examples of all of the major innovations of that era: Vacuum tubes, Nixie tubes, Magic eyes, CRTs, and many others.

Speakers

Keith Moore

Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Charlevoix C

Science Technology

7:00pm EDT

Warfare In Science Fiction - A Survey

Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 7:50pm EDT

Charlevoix B

A group discussion on how warfare is portrayed in science fiction. Examples include David Weber's Honorverse, Heinlein's Starship Troopers, Joe Haldeman's Starship Troopers and Arkady Martine's A Desolation Called Peace. Come with your knowledge and questions.

Speakers

Jeff Beeler

Stilyagi Air Corps

Event planning
Science Fiction
Gaming
History
Reference work

Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 7:50pm EDT
Charlevoix B

Gaming Science Technology

11:00am EDT

The Fermi Paradox

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

Algonquin C

If there is intelligent life, capable of contacting us then where are they? Let's explore several scenarios. This will be an open panel discussion. Generally, these scenarios will fall under three categories: one, they are or were already here; two, they exist, but we have yet to see or hear from them and three, they don’t exist. We will stick to science-based concepts. So that means inter-dimensional aliens who live in the sun are off the table. That’s for another panel.

The Fermi paradox is the discrepancy between the lack of conclusive evidence of advanced extraterrestrial life compared to the high likelihood of its existence. My source material is Stephen Webb’s book: If the Universe is Teeming with Aliens… Where is Everyone?

Speakers

Mark Haynes

STEM, Dmarkhaynes Consulting

I’m a renaissance man trapped in a specialist’s body. My degree is in biology. That’s why I’m IT. I’ve worked as a software developer, with an elegant language for a more civilized age. I became a QA guy because breaking things is therapeutic. I became a process specialist... Read More →

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Algonquin C

Science

4:00pm EDT

7:00pm EDT

8:00pm EDT

8:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

4:00pm EDT

7:00pm EDT

11:00am EDT

Get help with the event