Kansas City Art Institute: Women in STEM
 

Make48 is a 48-hour competition where teams are presented with a challenge and tasked to build a physical prototype, create a sales sheet, produce a 1-minute marketing video and pitch their big idea to a panel of judges. 

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Kansas City Art Institute provides a diverse curriculum and an immersive studio experience for students who are passionate about the realization of their ideas. With 13 majors in art and design, KCAI is uniquely situated between the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, creating a learning environment that enlivens and enriches our learning experience. KCAI’s newest major, Product Design, focuses on making a positive impact in the world by creating objects, systems, businesses, and products that change lives for the better. We are passionate about creativity, and we are passionate about changing the world through art and design.

 

In July 2025, Kansas City Art Institute hosted the first ever Women in STEM Make48 event! Women around the nation formed 7 teams for the Make48 competition and had access to expert tool technicians along with high-tech equipment for building.

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For this challenge, collaboration is the key to success. Many people have big ideas, but few possess the resources to develop a prototype that turns them into reality. To build anything, different skills, materials
and equipment must work together to create a final product. Make48 allows this process to be achieved with a fun, fast-paced, and educational event. First place team will win $2000 and move on to Season 9 Nationals in November 2025 along with the second place team.

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