Southern Methodist University Hosts FIRST Make48 Competition
- Make48+Team
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
Dallas, TX (October 16, 2025) – Make48 is proud to announce that Southern Methodist University (SMU) will host its first 48-hour Make48 competition from February 20-22, 2026.
Students from the Innovation Classroom Experience will meet on the SMU campus to tackle a mystery challenge, pushing the boundaries of their creativity, design, and fabrication skills. The event will be held at the Deason Innovation Gym (DIG) and will host the 6-8 teams that were the TOP winners of their respective brackets from the Great Outdoors challenge.
This partnership builds on the successful collaboration between Make48 and SMU from the Season 9 Vandermont competition, where SMU Thrive Scholars Program students acted as Team Captains and SMU Deason Innovation Gym (DIG) students from the Lyle School of Engineering served as the “secret sauce”, aka Tool Techs. These students will once again play a vital role in the competition, mentoring younger competitors and providing technical support to help build their prototypes.
Teams will innovate at the Deason Innovation Gym (DIG), a space on the SMU campus open to all students, employees, and alumni. Here, students can experiment with new ideas and technologies and learn by doing. Equipped with a wide range of tools, including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, and more, the DIG is equipped to turn ideas into reality. DIG embodies the spirit of collaboration and hands-on learning that is at the heart of Make48.
Every moment of the competition will be captured by the Make48 film crew and will be featured on the This Old House Makers Channel on Roku, showcasing the teams’ challenges, innovation, and determination to a global audience. The winning team will receive a $2,000 cash prize and earn an invitation to the Make48 National competition, November 2026.
SMU and Make48 are currently seeking sponsors and volunteers to help make this event a resounding success. To learn more about how you can get involved and support the future of innovation, please contact Make48 at https://www.make48.com/contact-us
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About the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering:
SMU's Lyle School of Engineering thrives on innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. Founded in 1925, SMU Lyle is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest, offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including master's and doctoral degrees.
About SMU:
SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMU’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, community and the world.
About Make48:
Make48 is a nationwide invention-competition docuseries, distributed and aired in partnership with This Old House Makers Channel (Roku), that gives teams a challenge at the start of a three-day event. With just 48 hours, teams must create a prototype, promotional video, sales sheet, and finally present their idea to a panel of judges. The teams have access to a makerspace and numerous Tool Techs (who 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.
Make48 Media Contact:
Cassandra Muñoz
816-226-8385
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