Backyard Brilliance: Make48’s Vandermont Challenge Episodes Now on YouTube!

Dallas, TX (September 11, 2025) – If you missed the exciting Make48 episodes on the This Old House Makers Channel, you're in luck! You can now stream the entire Vandermont competition on our YouTube page. Just one click gives you access to both episodes, so you can watch all the action whenever you want.

This year’s Make48 challenge kicked off its ninth season with a special event that brought together six teams of students from Vandermont School and Southern Methodist University (SMU) Thrive Scholars Program. The competition took place at Vandermont, where teams, each led by an SMU captain, were challenged to create innovative, solar-powered solutions for modern backyard living.

“The energy and creativity on display during the Vandermont challenge were truly inspiring,” said Tom Gray, CEO of Make48. “These episodes capture not only the ingenuity of the students but also the incredible spirit of teamwork and mentorship that is at the core of the Make48 mission. Making the episodes available on YouTube ensures that a wider audience can see these brilliant young minds at work.”

With support from challenge sponsors RoofMaster and Signature Solar, the teams had just 48 hours to design and build new concepts for everything from roof-integrated solutions to energy efficiency, outdoor entertainment, and smart landscaping. The event wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of the local sponsors: Arete Health, T1 Race Development, Bestagon HUB, G4 Brothers, and Westlake ACE Hardware.

Throughout the weekend, a dedicated group of skilled tool technicians worked alongside the teams. These included students from SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering,  as well as experts from Bestagon Hub, ShopBot, MakerBot, UltiMaker, Onshape, and Reinvented Inc. Not only did they help build team prototypes, but they also created a custom-made trophy for the winning team.

In a true show of community, Vandermont's own school leaders and local volunteers also pitched in, mentoring the students around the clock. This wasn’t just a competition; it was a powerful collaboration where students came together to problem-solve, innovate, and create lasting memories.

Ready to See the Magic Happen?

Head over to the Make48 YouTube channel now to witness all the moments and the unwavering determination of these amazing young creators and innovators.

Watch the Episodes Here: https://www.youtube.com/@Make48/videos

Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more exciting content and to see what incredible competitions come next! 

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About Make48

Make48 is a nationwide invention-competition docuseries that gives teams a challenge at the start of a three-day event. With just 48 hours, teams must create a prototype, promotional video, and sales sheet, and present their idea to a panel of judges. The teams have access to a makerspace and numerous Tool Techs that can make almost anything, patent attorneys, marketing experts, and more. This format allows everyone to have a level playing field and the chance to win, with no prior technical knowledge necessary. 

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Make48 Media Contact

Cassandra Muñoz

cassandra@make48.com

816-226-8385