When the clock begins to tick at Make48, the energy shifts; teams move from nervous anticipation to racehorses, hitting it into high gear. At SkillsUSA, the student teams were ready to build. But turning an idea into a prototype, under a ticking clock, requires the right expertise in your corner. That is where Kickr Design stepped in. The trio featured Ben Gould (Principal Designer), Kylie Early (Industrial Designer + Sourcing Specialist), and Tyler Fox (Prototype and Produc

Thousands of blue jackets took over Indianapolis last week for the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo. Held from October 21–23 at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center, the energy was high as students, alumni, and agricultural leaders gathered to explore the future of science, business, and innovation. Representing Make48, Tom Gray and Sharrell Howard were on the ground taking part in the excitement. From exhibitor booths and workshops to collegiate chapter net

Wichita, KS – (November 5, 2026) – If you missed the tenth season premiere on the This Old House Makers Channel, don’t worry! Two episodes from the Wichita competition are now available to stream on the Make48 YouTube page. With just one click, you can dive straight into the makerspace action and watch brainstorming ideas turn into physical prototypes in under 48 hours. Region 1 Classroom Teams Seven teams from the first Regional Classroom Innovation experience touched down

Kansas City, MO – October 15, 2026 – The 10th season of Make48 has officially wrapped, and what a way to celebrate a decade of making and innovation! We invite you to get an inside look at the Season 10 National Championship as it unfolded at the community-centered Operation Breakthrough Ignition Lab in Kansas City, Missouri. Seven qualifying teams from across the country gathered to take on a challenge centered on community impact, working alongside Veterans Community Projec

When The Dream Makers, now known as The Dreamers, stepped up to compete in Season 9’s National Championship, they did more than present a winning concept. They captured first place, stole our hearts, and sparked a light from beneath. Today, this talented team from the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) is ready to share their journey on one of the nation's most influential stages. On October 27th, just one block from the White House, the team will take the main stage at

Kansas City, MO – October 1, 2026 – The 10th Make48 National Competition was one for the books, marking a full decade of high-stakes, 48-hour innovation marathons and countless breakthrough prototypes. Over the past ten years, Make48 has tackled some of society’s most pressing challenges alongside iconic brands like Stanley Black & Decker, Corteva, Harley-Davidson, and Sporting KC – spanning issues from scalable sustainability and food scarcity to interactive games and stadi

There are educators who follow a curriculum, and then there are educators who fundamentally reshape the way students view what they are capable of achieving. For 31 remarkable years in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Tina Gleason has been that guiding light. As a beloved teacher at Golda Meir School – and a nominee for America’s Favorite Teacher – Tina has spent decades fostering curiosity and hands-on innovation. While August 29th marked her official retirement from MPS, one

Kansas City, MO – September 24, 2026 – Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab recently served as the ultimate host for the Make48 Season 10 National Championship. Seven powerhouse regional winning teams gathered in Kansas City, bringing their creativity, grind, and team spirit together to tackle a meaningful, real-world challenge in partnership with Veterans Community Project (VCP). The Mission: Empowering Veterans Community Project Founded in Kansas City, the Veterans Communi

Wichita, KS – [September 23, 2026] –Make48 is officially back on screen for a milestone 10th season, premiering Wednesday, October 7, 2026, on Roku’s This Old House Makers Channel at 8:00 PM CST. In a two-episode special, viewers get an all-access pass to the floor at Wichita State University’s GoCreate makerspace. In a city world-renowned for its aviation legacy, seven student teams took on Fastenal’s “Altitude Upgrade” challenge—a high-pressure mission tasked with reinventi

“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” Abraham Lincoln In an 1863 letter, President Abraham Lincoln eloquently captured our shared responsibility to those who serve. More than 160 years later, the sentiment behind our 16th President’s words continues to ring true. This weekend, Make48 carries that spirit forward into the