What Will Teams Expect To See In Atlanta?

Make48+Team
4 hours ago
4 min read

Kansas City, MO (May 2026) – Early next week, a completely unique kind of competition will take place on a massive national stage. Make48 is headed to the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

From June 2–5, 2026, five incredible teams will compete in a fast-paced invention challenge, all while a documentary film crew captures every single moment. To learn more about the event layout and schedule, visit our event page.

The Challenge: Sponsored by Fastenal and Fendt

This year, industry giants Fastenal and Fendt are calling the challenge. They are tasking these young minds with solving a real-world problem that impacts their industries.

The official Challenge theme for this competition is “Field Ready.” Teams will receive more specific details about the parameters next week, just before the clock ticks down for those intense 48 hours.

Make48 co-founder Tom Gray is ecstatic to bring the competition to a brand-new location:

"This is a first for many. It's our first time working with SkillsUSA, our first time in Atlanta, and the first time our teams will get to pitch in a huge auditorium!"

Meet the Contenders

Five diverse teams will embark on this fun-filled, learning-packed week. Representing schools and organizations from coast to coast, these students are set to make their mark on Make48's decade-long history of innovation.

The "Nails for Breakfast" Crew | Colquitt County High School (Georgia) Coming up from Moultrie, this team is living proof that South Georgia grit is a real competitive advantage. Led by veteran instructor Robbie Pitts, the trio of Lily Hunt, Robert Kinsley, and Cameron Bozeman is built for the grind and ready to compete on home-state turf.
The "Four-midable Force" | DeKalb High School of Technology-South (Georgia) Just a stone's throw from the heart of the competition, this team is ready to defend their home turf. Under the guidance of teacher La’Mar Young, students Dillan Job, Aubri Jones, and Freddrick Edwards are bringing a powerful blend of technical expertise and high-energy collaboration to the floor.
"Challenge Accepted" | Career & Technology Center @ Fort Osage (Missouri) Hailing from Independence, Missouri, this team’s name says it all. Under the mentorship of instructor Randy Ledbetter, students Silas Jones and Garrett Gearhart are bringing fierce Midwest determination to the national stage.
"The Waveriders" | Kealakehe High School (Hawaii) Making the longest journey of all, the Waveriders are traveling from the Big Island to showcase Pacific innovation. Led by teacher Chris Ibarra, the team consisting of Avalon Loudon, Victor King, and Alohilani Riklon brings a unique perspective to the competition floor.
"Smarts and Sparks" | Oak Harbor High School (Washington) Coming from the scenic shores of Whidbey Island, this team is a force of four. Students Julianne (Lux) Eby, Joel Christopherson, Malaina Yargo, and Ivan Perez earned their spot through a high-energy local Make48 Innovation Experience and are ready to keep that momentum going.

The Expert Lineup

Make48 is thrilled to hit a new city! As our very first competition in the state of Georgia, we are ready to plant roots at SkillsUSA and show off the energy of rapid prototyping.

While this venue is a grander stage than our usual regional events, the heart of Make48 remains exactly the same. The students won't have to go it alone. They will have access to high-end machinery, a virtual consultation with patent attorney Chris DeBacker, and a dedicated pool of corporate mentors from Fendt and Fastenal to guide their big ideas.

Our legendary Tool Techs and industry volunteers will be on the floor doing the heavy lifting to bring the students' blueprints to life. Lending their expertise this week are:

Adam Kittrell (Make48)
Tyler Isaacs (Wooden Whiskers Trading Co.)
Luis Rodriguez (UltiMaker/MakerBot)
Miles Davis (Lunar Boost)

In addition, an incredible roster of experts from top-notch fabrication and design companies will be on hand to help the teams build out their ideas. Industry leaders like ShopBot Tools, Thunder Laser, Trimble SketchUp, and Kickr Design are sending experts over to the Make48 booth throughout the week to support the young inventors.

Tool Tech Adam Kittrell is excited for the unique environment. "The energy at SkillsUSA is going to be electric. I can't wait to see what these teams dream up. Our job is to help them bridge the gap between a great idea and a physical prototype, and doing that on a stage this massive is going to be a blast."

What to Expect: A Week of Innovation and Empowerment

Over a high-intensity 48 hours, teams will experience the true, unfiltered spirit of Make48. They must quickly brainstorm, prototype, create a promotional video, develop a sales sheet, and pitch their finished invention to a panel of expert judges.

This level playing field emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork over prior technical expertise, giving every student an equal shot at glory.

We can't wait to meet all the teams in Atlanta! Be sure to follow Make48 on social media all week long to catch the action live, see the behind-the-scenes madness, and watch the incredible creativity of these young inventors as they rise to the challenge.

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About Make48

Make48 is a nationwide invention competition docuseries that gives teams a challenge at the start of an 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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