Key Dates
Make:able runs year-round. Any entries submitted from 1st May 2023 - 1st May 2024 will be entered into the 2024 challenge. Any entries submitted from 1st May 2024 - 1st May 2025 will be entered into the 2025 challenge, and so on.
The Make:able Challenge
Make:able is a free 3D printing and assistive technology design challenge for schools, makers and anyone who wants to participate. The brief for Make:able is to use Autodesk software (Tinkercad or Fusion 360) in conjunction with 3D printing to ‘Design and make a 3D printed product or prototype that improves the day-to-day life of someone with a disability or the elderly’. We recommend participating in a series of PrintLab mini courses and projects prior to Make:able – giving you the technical and problem solving skills to excel and create innovative solutions for real people.
The Make:able challenge is open to everyone and can be run within schools, workshops or even at home. By signing up to Make:able, you’ll receive access to a range of resources, including a comprehensive challenge toolkit. If you’re a teacher, you’ll also be equipped with a full teacher’s pack with professional development resources, guidance and standards-aligned lesson plans for various teaching formats, timeframes, age groups and abilities.
The Toolkit
Going beyond a competition, the Make:able design challenge centres around an online challenge toolkit, which takes you through a step-by-step process to design and make an assistive device.
Prizes
Make:able offers a range of fantastic prizes from our amazing sponsors. These range from 3D printers and 3D scanners to filament, reward cards and more!
Outcomes
Over the past few years, participants have designed everything from writing aids and pill dispensers to assistive switch toys, wheelchair accessories and much more! Click the link below to view an example from this year's challenge.
Ready to Get Started?
Make:able is hosted on its own separate platform, where you can learn more and register for free! Click the link below to get started.