What’s in Store as Teams Take the Stage at the 10th Make48 Nationals
“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” Abraham Lincoln
In an 1863 letter, President Abraham Lincoln eloquently captured our shared responsibility to those who serve. More than 160 years later, the sentiment behind our 16th President’s words continues to ring true.
This weekend, Make48 carries that spirit forward into the makerspace. For our milestone 10th National Championship, teams will compete in an urgent, meaningful challenge, designed to directly support military veterans in Kansas City and across the nation.
Hosted at Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab from September 18–20, 2026, this 48-hour invent-a-thon pairs high-stakes rapid prototyping with a cause that hits close to home.
Here is what is in store for this year’s veteran-focused national stage.
The Mission: Building for Veterans
For Season 10, Make48 is centering its prompt on “The Veteran Experience,” partnering with Kansas City’s own Veterans Community Project (VCP).
Focusing on a product that strengthens the VCP community, competitors will be tasked with tackling a real-world challenge aimed at improving the daily lives, accessibility, and well-being of military veterans. Teams will design under practical constraints, guaranteeing every build is functional, durable, and dignified.
Building solutions for those who served is a game-changer, not just for the veteran community, but for the students themselves. Dedicating 48 hours to solving problems for someone else fosters civic responsibility and leaves a lasting impact. Innovation is at its best when it serves a human purpose.
The 48-Hour Sprint
From the moment the clock starts ticking, each team has exactly 48 hours to turn an idea into a functioning prototype. Students will have access to the Ignition Lab’s facilities and Make48’s tools, including 3D printers from MakerBot, metalworking equipment, a Thunder Laser machine, electronics, a woodshop, textiles, and ShopBot’s CNC router.
Skilled tool techs and mentors will work side-by-side with competitors, helping them navigate the challenge and machinery, as well as troubleshoot their builds safely and quickly. But the build is only half the battle. Teams must also write a one-page product sales sheet and film and edit a compelling one-minute commercial video for their pitches. On Sunday, they will take the stage to pitch their ideas live to a judging panel, all competing for the $10,000 grand prize.
Seven regional champion teams from across the country will step up to the workbench this weekend. Having earned their spots through fierce regional tournaments, each team brings a distinct set of skills and fresh perspectives to the competition floor.
Teams will include: Team Yogurt (Andover CAPS – Andover, KS); Hot Springs EAST (Hot Springs Junior Academy – Hot Springs, AR); Pipeline Pals (Warren Woods Tower – Warren, MI); Smarts & Sparks (Oak Harbor High School – Oak Harbor, WA); Challenge Accepted (Career & Technology Center at Fort Osage High School – Independence, MO); The Bears (White Bear Lake Area High School – White Bear Lake, MN); Architecting The Mastery (Cotter Schools – Winona, MN). Learn more about the teams in our spotlight here.
How to Follow Along
The energy, late nights, and breakthrough moments will all be captured on camera. The event is being filmed live in Kansas City (MO) and will be featured nationally on Roku’s This Old House Makers Channel.
You don’t have to wait for the broadcast to experience the excitement. Follow Make48 across social media for real-time build updates, behind-the-scenes progress, and the live crowning of our Season 10 National Champion.
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