Menomonie, WI – September 3, 2026 – Last month, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University played host to our largest regional competition of the season, and the energy inside the UW-Stout Polytechnic FabLab was immediate from the moment the clock started. Teams took on "The Future of Fast Food Innovation," tackling real-world industry pain points with rapid prototyping and ingenuity. From initial sketching and ideation to hands-on fabrication with power tools, 3D printers, and expert guidance from...

This September 18–20, seven teams take center stage in Kansas City for the 10th national competition for Make48. There is no venue better suited than the Ignition Lab at Operation Breakthrough. Make48 CEO Tom Gray noted, "Operation Breakthrough and Make48 both have assets we want to maximize. Operation Breakthrough has a fully developed makerspace, and Make48 has an event, documentary, and Makers who can make unique projects." Yet the state-of-the-art tools of the Ignition Lab represent far...

The clock in the makerspace reads 39:24:10, steadily ticking downward. The shop floor is buzzing with the hum of CNC routers and the scent of sawdust and coffee. In one corner, a team stares at their cardboard mockup with hesitation, unsure how to bridge the gap between their concept and the finished build. Then, a mentor steps in. At Make48, innovation is an extreme sport. While raw creativity sets the stage, the true engine driving every breakthrough is a dedicated ecosystem of Tool Techs,...