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

Innovation waits for no one, especially when you only have 48 hours. As we gear up for Season 10, the pressure is on for our teams to prototype faster with more precision than ever before. That’s why we are pleased to announce that Thunder Laser is officially joining the Make48 family as a key product placement partner! For a decade, Make48 has been about proving that great ideas can come from anywhere. But to turn those ideas into reality, you need tools that you can trust

One of the most recognizable faces in the Make48 arena is Luis Rodriguez, an Application Engineer for UltiMaker and a veteran Tool Tech. Luis has been with us since the very beginning, and we mean the very beginning. Before Make48 even hit television screens, Luis was there. He worked with the team during early pre-TV competitions, including the historic event at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in June 2016. From his early days as a Community Strategist

The dust has settled, the prototypes have been judged, and the results are finally in! We are thrilled to wrap up another incredible Make48 Classroom Experience, made possible by our partners at Alliant Energy . Students were tasked with the “Clear the Path” challenge, a problem that demanded innovative solutions and the ability to think outside the box. As always, the students exceeded our expectations, proving that the future of innovation is in good hands. Meet the Winning

This semester, students didn’t just stay in the classroom; they stepped up to the runway to take on real-world challenges through the Make48 Innovation Experience. The results were nothing short of first-class. The Challenge “Home Away From Home” With the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport setting a new standard for travel, the bar has been raised for passenger experience flying to and from the Heart of America. These teams took on a unique challenge presen