Menomonie, WI – September 3, 2026 – Last month, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University played host to our largest regional competition of the season, and the energy inside the UW-Stout Polytechnic FabLab was immediate from the moment the clock started. Teams took on "The Future of Fast Food Innovation," tackling real-world industry pain points with rapid prototyping and ingenuity. From initial sketching and ideation to hands-on fabrication with power tools, 3D printers, and expe

This September 18–20, seven teams take center stage in Kansas City for the 10th national competition for Make48. There is no venue better suited than the Ignition Lab at Operation Breakthrough. Make48 CEO Tom Gray noted, "Operation Breakthrough and Make48 both have assets we want to maximize. Operation Breakthrough has a fully developed makerspace, and Make48 has an event, documentary, and Makers who can make unique projects." Yet the state-of-the-art tools of the Ignition L

The clock in the makerspace reads 39:24:10, steadily ticking downward. The shop floor is buzzing with the hum of CNC routers and the scent of sawdust and coffee. In one corner, a team stares at their cardboard mockup with hesitation, unsure how to bridge the gap between their concept and the finished build. Then, a mentor steps in. At Make48, innovation is an extreme sport. While raw creativity sets the stage, the true engine driving every breakthrough is a dedicated ecosyst

Seven talented student teams and their advisors have earned their spots to compete at Make48’s 10th National Competition. After proving themselves across regional and licensed qualifying events, these innovators are heading to the national stage. Here is a look at the qualifying rounds, the challenges they tackled, and the 7 teams advancing to Nationals. Wichita, KS: GoCreate Makerspace Make48 kicked off its milestone 10th season at GoCreate in Wichita, Kansas. In a hub world

Kansas City, MO – August 20, 2026 — Innovation is taking center stage in the heart of Kansas City! Make48, the inspiring docuseries that captures the high-stakes excitement of physical product invention, is gearing up for its biggest event of the year. From September 18–20, 2026, seven regional champion teams will meet at Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab: Powered by 87 & Running to go head-to-head in the Season 10 National Championship, tackling a real-world design chall

Kansas City, MO (August 11, 2026) – The inaugural Make48 Summer Camp pilot has wrapped in Great Bend, Kansas, and what an incredible time it was! Barton Community College generously opened its doors and hosted our very first summer pilot, bringing local students together for 3 days of non-stop creativity, hands-on learning, and innovation. Students completed the first Make48 Summer Camp in West Bend, KS! Working in teams, camp participants jumped headfirst into the full Make4

MENOMONIE, WI (August 13, 2026) — From July 31 to August 2, the campus of UW-Stout Polytechnic was buzzing with students from across the Midwest. These young minds brought their endless creativity, hands-on problem-solving skills, and a heavy dose of determination as middle and high school students gathered for the latest Make48 competition. In just 48 hours, 9 talented teams of young entrepreneurs took on a real-world design challenge, transforming their ideas into functiona

MENOMONIE, Wis. (August 6, 2026) — UW-Stout’s Polytechnic campus served as the backdrop for an intense weekend of innovation, housing nine incredible middle and high school teams competing in a regional Make48 challenge from July 31 through August 2. Over the three-day event, participants were tasked with conceiving an original product idea from scratch, developing a professional sales sheet, and producing a one-minute promotional pitch video. The competition was evaluated by

Menomonie, WI – July 30, 2026 – The countdown is officially on. This weekend marks the end of the 2026 Make48 season as we head into our final regional competition of the season before the National Championship hits Kansas City this September. From July 31st to August 2nd, UW-Stout Polytechnic will play host to our third major event of the year. To say the stakes are high is an understatement. This region shaped up to be the most packed bracket we’ve seen so far! To help th

Kansas City, MO – July 23, 2026 – What happens when you take 125 middle school students, mix in a heavy dose of real-world business challenges, and add a passion for helping animals? You get an unforgettable four weeks of summer school innovation. From June 1st through June 26th, sixth through eighth graders stepped out of the traditional classroom mindset and into the shoes of professional product designers. Their mission? Partner with KC Pet Project, Kansas City’s 501(c)(3)