Stamped for Success: North Kansas City Students Innovate with Holland 1916 and Make48

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. They challenged the students to look at processes and safety through a new lens. The students met that challenge and proved they were just as creative as they were practical, industrial-minded, and solutions-oriented, improving efficiency and safety. 

The competition was tight; three teams made a lasting impression on the judges. 

Oak Park High School students took on the Make48 Classroom Experience

Cheers to the FIRST place team from Oak Park High School with their SubSafety prototype! We can’t wait to see what the Oak Park students will bring this fall to Nationals. 

Congratulations to Staley High School for their idea, “Quickreach Rail” (second place) and to North Kansas City High School (third place) for their prototype, “BackMate”. Their concepts addressed the challenge with a smart approach to the problem, securing them a well-deserved spot on the podium.

Staley High School (left) and North Kansas City H.S. (right) placed in the Make48 Innovation Experience

This challenge was a true community effort. A massive thank you goes to Holland 1916 for bringing this challenge to the classroom and showing students the diverse opportunities available in modern manufacturing and design.

We also want to recognize the teachers and mentors who made this challenge a success. Your guidance allows students to take risks, fail fast, and succeed sooner.

Do you want to give your students the opportunity to leave their mark on the world?

We’re already seeing schools sign up for a chance to participate in the 2026–27 Make48 National Tournament. If you’re ready to give your students a chance to innovate, compete, and learn real-world skills, let’s make it happen. Visit www.make48.com/classroom to learn more.