Make:able 2024 Finalists

It's our favourite time of year! Over the past 2 weeks, we have been reviewing hundreds of submissions for this year's Make:able 3D printing and assistive technology challenge, hosted in collaboration with Autodesk. Today, we have the pleasure of announcing the finalist shortlist. It's always an honour to host this inspirational challenge and the submissions appear to get better by the year!

A 3D printed assistive device that supports users in lifting their forearm.

1st June 2024 • Make:able

For each category and age group, we have shortlisted between 3 and 6 entries, which will be put in front of a global panel of experts from the fields of assistive technology, 3D printing, design and education. For more information about the judges and process, check out our blog here.

Before we proceed, just a quick note that today is all about announcing who is in the finalist group. Therefore only small thumbnails of the designs are shown. In the winner’s announcement on 1st July 2024, we’ll be sharing the full videos – giving you the opportunity to view the entire design processes and inspirational stories.

And now for the announcement. Introducing the 2024 Make:able Challenge Finalists…

Best Showcase of Empathy (Under 14)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Showcase of Empathy - Under 14'.

Team Renee – Union University Outreach (USA)
The Flag Bearers – Bellevue Christian School (USA)
ATIC from RoboGeex Academy – RoboGeex Academy (Lebanon)
The Addison 5 – DeQuincy Elementary School (USA)
The Pillgineers – Haberdashers’ Boys’ School (UK)
Parson Hills Elementary – Parson Hills Elementary (USA)

Best Showcase of Empathy (14-18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Showcase of Empathy - 14-18'.

Team Bradley – Union University Outreach (USA)
TechnoGeex MC2 – RoboGeex Academy (Lebanon)
One Hand Wins – MustardTek (China)
Meridian Academy – Meridian Academy (USA)
Team SEA^3 – Union University Outreach (USA)

Best Showcase of Empathy (Over 18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Showcase of Empathy - Over 18'.

Blind Iron Team – Oakland City University (USA)
Team Epsilon Zeta – Diamond Bar High School (USA)
Lincoln Logs – (USA)

Best Creative Idea (Under 14)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Creative Idea - Under 14'

ATIC – RoboGeex Academy (Lebanon)
Need a Hand – Malvern College (Hong Kong)
Pillz – Malvern College (Hong Kong)
Los Juanitas – Arturo Soria (Spain)
Team Charge – 21st Mind (Malaysia)
CartiClean – Malvern College (Hong Kong)

Best Creative Idea (14-18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Creative Idea - 14-18'.

TechnoGeex MC1 – RoboGeex Academy (Lebanon)
Making Able – The UCL Academy (UK)
AG – Greencastle-Antrim School District (USA)
Compass – Greencastle-Antrim School District (USA)
Bendy Thumb – Greencastle-Antrim School District (USA)

Best Creative Idea (Over 18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Creative Idea - Over 18'.

ARM support Renata – University of Glasgow (UK)
Bullis Bulldog Bogglers – Bullis School (USA)
Musical Grip Strength – Biola University (USA)
Assist-a-can – Transformation Academy (China)

Best Use of Autodesk Software (Under 14)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best use of Autodesk Software - Under 14'

Team Joshua – Union University Outreach (USA)
Praille Tracker – Tech Kid Learning Centre (Malaysia)
Team Noah – Union University Outreach (USA)
AC Squared – Media-Providence Friends School (USA)
WorkFocus – Malvern College (Hong Kong)
B-Clip – Tech Kid Learning Centre (Malaysia)

Best Use of Autodesk Software (14-18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Use of Autodesk Software - 14-18'.

TechnoGeex MC3 – RoboGeex Academy (Lebanon)
TechnoGeex MC1 – RoboGeex Academy (Lebanon)
Team Kristen – Union University Outreach (USA)
One Pop – Tech Kid Learning Centre (Malaysia)
Team Caleb – Union University Outreach (USA)

Best Use of Autodesk Software (Over 18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Use of Autodesk Software - Over 18'.

ARM support Renata – University of Glasgow (UK)
Blind Iron Team – Oakland City University (USA)
Adam’s Team – Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Poland)
Team Tau Mu Iota – Diamond Bar High School (USA)

Best Showcase of Customisation (Under 14)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Showcase of Customisation - Under 14'.

Team Renee – Union University Outreach (USA)
Team Noah – Union University Outreach (USA)
Parson Hills Elementary – Parson Hills Elementary (USA)
RME – Malvern College (Hong Kong)
The Addison 5 – DeQuincy Elementary School (USA)
Need a Hand – Malvern College (Hong Kong)

Best Showcase of Customisation (14-18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Showcase of Customisation - 14-18'.

Team SEA^3 – Union University Outreach (USA)
One Hand Wins – MustardTek (China)
Team Kristen – Union University Outreach (USA)
Mission:Possible – Creekside Christian Academy (USA)
Team Jellybean – Greencastle-Antrim School District (USA)

Best Showcase of Customisation (Over 18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Showcase of Customisation - Over 18'.

Phi Alpha Tao – Diamond Bar High School (USA)
FunctionABLE – Widener University (USA)
Cooling Agents – Widener University (USA)

Best Use of 3D Printing (Under 14)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Use of 3D Printing - Under 14'.

Team Joshua – Union University Outreach (USA)
Alyssa’s Wheelchair Armrest Fix! – Westwood Elementary (USA)
Backbuddy Robotics – Malvern College (Hong Kong)
Chelo the best – Arturo Soria (Spain)
The Mighty Vegetables – Southridge (Canada)
Aidezvous – Malvern College (Hong Kong)

Best Use of 3D Printing (14-18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Use of 3D Printing - 14-18'.

Team Caleb – Union University Outreach (USA)
TechnoGeex MC3 – RoboGeex Academy (Lebanon)
Card Aid Team – Yago School (Spain)
AG – Greencastle-Antrim School District (USA)
Team Cody – Union University Outreach (USA)

Best Use of 3D Printing (Over 18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Use of 3D Printing - Over 18'.

Adam’s Team – Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Poland)
Team Epsilon Zeta – Diamond Bar High School (USA)
Blue & Gold Warriors – Widener University (USA)

Best Showcase of Iterative Design (Under 14)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Showcase of Iterative Design - Under 14'.

The Pink Ballerz – Calcasieu Parish School District (USA)
Alyssa’s Wheelchair Armrest Fix! – Westwood Elementary (USA)
Hottie Bugattis – Bellevue Christian School (USA)
The Flag Bearers – Bellevue Christian School (USA)
Backbuddy Robotics – Malvern College (Hong Kong)
3D Marvels – (Thailand)

Best Showcase of Iterative Design (14-18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Showcase of Iterative Design - 14-18'.

STEAMERS – Ma’ayanot (USA)
TechnoGeex MC2 – RoboGeex Academy (Lebanon)
Team Cody – Union University Outreach (USA)
GAFKA – Greencastle-Antrim School District (USA)
Team Jellybean – Greencastle-Antrim School District (USA)

Best Showcase of Iterative Design (Over 18)

A selection of 3D printed assistive devices that made the finalist shortlist for the Make:able Challenge, in the category 'Best Showcase of Iterative Design - Over 18'.

Phi Alpha Tao – Diamond Bar High School (USA)
Bullis Bulldog Bogglers – Bullis School (USA)
Team Tau Mu Iota – Diamond Bar High School (USA)

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A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in Make:able this year – from the teachers, students and end users to all our industry partners, prize sponsors and judges. We can’t wait to announce the winners on 1st July! As a final note, if you haven’t yet joined Make:able, head over to the platform and check it out. The challenge is open year-round to all and comes with a comprehensive toolkit of resources.