For this Make48 challenge, students took on a unique prompt from our sponsor, Matt Muse Construction. The “Off the Grid, On the Same Page” challenge pushed teams to think about construction, infrastructure, and resource management in off-grid scenarios. It required a deep dive into self-sustaining design and collaborative problem-solving. Meet the Winning Team After reviewing all the incredible submissions, one team truly built an outstanding solution. A massive congratulatio

If you walked into a Make48 competition a few years ago, you might have met a quiet student named Mara Hug. Fast forward to today, and Mara is a creative force of nature. This young woman is a podcaster, instructional assistant, college student, and an upcoming leader in the community. Her journey with Make48 didn’t start with a "spark" – it started with a bit of a push. But as any true innovator knows, sometimes the best breakthroughs happen under pressure. We sat down with

Trimble has officially teamed up with Make48 as a product placement sponsor for the 2026 season. Known for empowering over 33 million industry professionals to dream, design, and create,   Trimble’s 3D modeling software SketchUp  is bringing its "Vision to Realization" philosophy directly to our competitions. This season, the collaboration goes beyond just software. The industry-standard CAD design platform will also bring a dedicated Tool Tech to events to support competing

From buzzing insects to powering up with nature, students in the Classroom Experience proved that when it comes to sustainability, the future looks bright. We are thrilled to announce the winners of the “Sustainability In View” challenge, a part of the Make48 Innovation Experience. Partnering with the Little Rock Zoo and EAST, students were tasked with creating solutions that bring conservation and sustainability into focus. The creativity, teamwork, and passion for the envir

When a global leader like Stanley Black & Decker  issues a challenge, you know the bar for creativity and execution is set incredibly high. This semester, collegiate teams from across the country answered the Make48 Challenge call: “Pack it Forward.” Students were tasked with rethinking packaging and storage solutions, finding innovative ways to make tools and equipment more organized, accessible, and efficient for the pros who use them every day. The competition was intense,

The 2026 season is shaping up to be a monumental year for Make48, and a huge part of that story involves a familiar name stepping into a bigger role: Fastenal. We are thrilled to announce that Fastenal has officially signed on as a major supporter for 2026. But this year, they are going beyond the usual patronage; they are helping us bring the competition directly to the students who need it most. Fastenal: Technology that drives transformation https://www.fastenal.com/ A Tr

Wichita, KS (February 18, 2026) – Make48 is officially returning to the city where its "City Series" began. To celebrate the launch of Season 10, the premier prototyping competition is heading back to the "Air Capital of the World" to host the teams born from the first-ever Classroom Innovation Experience from March 20 to 22nd, 2026 . Tom Gray, CEO and Co-Founder of Make48, views this return to the Wichita State University (WSU) campus as a full-circle moment for the organiza

Kansas City, MO (February 12, 2026) – If you missed the high-energy ‘Make48 Women in STEM’ episodes on This Old House Makers Channel , your wait is over! We are happy to announce that the full competition is now available to stream on our official YouTube page. With just one click, you can dive into the action and witness the brilliance of these young innovators anytime, anywhere.  Breaking Barriers in 48 Hours This event was a historic first for Make48. While women currently

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)  students are known for their ability to step into a problem and engineer a solution, and this semester’s Make48 Classroom Experience was no exception. Teams faced off in the “Build for Living” challenge, presented by the Building Science  Symposium .  The prompt required students to look at the spaces where we live and breathe, challenging them to innovate within the realm of building science and home efficiency. The results were a breath of fresh

North Kansas City, Missouri, has a long history of innovation, and this semester, students from across the district prove they have it in their DNA to solve real-world problems.  Teaming up with the local manufacturing leader, Holland 1916 , students dove into the Make48 Classroom Experience to tackle the challenge, “Stamped for Success.” The Challenge The veteran-owned and operated Holland 1916 has a long history of industrial identification and manufacturing excellence. The