Sky-High Innovation: Season 10 Kicks Off at GoCreate

The countdown is officially on. Tomorrow, the energy at Wichita State University is going to shift as we kick off the first competition of Make48 Season 10. We’re back at GoCreate, a premier creative community makerspace at Wichita State University. It provides the perfect backdrop for the energizing problem-solving our viewers have come to love.

While the spirit of the competition remains the same, we are shaking things up this year with a major twist to the format.

The 24-Hour Advantage

Our Challenge Sponsor, Fastenal, has set the bar high with this year’s theme: Aviation. It’s a fitting tribute to our host city. Known as the Air Capital of the World, Wichita has a storied history in flight. From the creation of the Laird Swallow in 1920 – the nation’s first commercial airplane – to the massive industry presence today, innovation is in the air here. Now, it’s up to our teams to add their own chapter.

Traditionally, our teams don’t know what they’re building until the clock starts ticking. For Season 10, we’re changing the game. Teams are receiving their challenge 24 hours early.

By moving the brainstorm phase and the patent attorney consultations earlier on Friday, we are giving these innovators the breathing room to fully vet their ideas. 

This extra time allows them to focus more deeply on their critical deliverables: the prototype, the Sales Sheet, and that make-or-break one-minute video pitch. We can’t wait to see how this extra prep time elevates the final results.

Meet the Season 10 Contenders

Seven teams from across the country have landed in Wichita to compete for the top spot.

Here is who will be taking over the GoCreate floor this weekend:

Pack to the Future (UW-Stout) Becca Koszarek, Jack Leipnitz, Jack Statz, and team captain Kate Liu. This crew represents the University of Wisconsin-Stout and took 2nd Place in the  "Pack it Forward" Stanley Black and Decker challenge with their DeWalt 25’ Tape Measure innovation.

COMO+Alt+Del (Columbia Area Career Center) Ethan Childs, Logan Allen, and Chase Trim, led by repeat captain Mike Merz. This isn't Mr. Merz’s first rodeo; he previously led a team during the 2024 Project Lead The Way competition at UMKC.

Yogurt (Andover CAPS) Connor Scripter, Bridger Grantham, and Alonzo Lucas, led by Seth Scripter. Experience is on their side, as Seth previously competed during the Make48 Season 5 circuit.

Iron Axes (Oak Park High School) Eli Redmond, Moriah Mitchell, and Reece Schroeder, led by Olek Ivanov. These students dove into the Holland 1916 "Make48 Classroom Experience" to tackle the "Stamped for Success" challenge and earn their spot.

Jaguar Innovators (LISA Academy North MS/HS): Abraham Holiberto Tornes-Hidalgo, Prabveer Singh Ghotra, and Moksh Patel, led by Roza Shaimurat. They advanced with their "Eco-Basin Pro" concept, tackling the "Off the Grid, On the Same Page" challenge presented by Matt Muse Construction.

Hot Springs EAST (Hot Springs Junior Academy): James Hall, Ethan Peabody, and Trinity Moss, led by Aspen Hamm. This team punched their ticket by winning the "Sustainability In View" challenge in partnership with the Little Rock Zoo and EAST.

Mane Mechanics (Vandermont): Kinsley Newton, Addy Hardwick, and Colin Gleaves, led by Brett Miller. They dominated the "Off the Grid" challenge hosted at Vandermont and presented by Matt Muse Construction.

The Support Crew

No Make48 team flies alone. Our legendary crew of Tool Techs and equipment experts is on-site and ready to help these teams turn sketches into physical prototypes. To bring these aviation-themed ideas to life, teams will have access to a powerhouse lineup of industry-leading equipment and software, including: ShopBot Tools for precision CNC routing, Thunder Laser for high-speed cutting and engraving, Trimble SketchUp for detailed 3D design and modeling, and MakerBot & Dynamism for all professional-grade 3D printing needs. We are lucky to have Hovey Williams serving as the patent attorney for the weekend. They will be working closely with our innovators to ensure that every team's unique intellectual property is protected as they move from concept to creation. 

And when it comes time to turn those protected ideas into reality, teams will be heading out for the lively hardware run. Westlake Ace Hardware is onboard to provide all the supplies, parts, and materials they need to build a winning prototype with the tool techs. This weekend’s expert squad is led by Tom Gray and our lead Tool Techs for the event, Ken Wiseman and Miles Davis. 

The tools are prepped, the materials are staged, and the teams are ready. Follow along all weekend as we see who can navigate the pressure and soar to victory! Wichita, let’s make something great. 

Visit https://www.make48.com/2026-gocreate-wichita-ks to learn more about this competition.