Make:able 2023 Finalists

Last week we introduced you to the amazing judging panel for the 2023 Make:able Challenge, hosted by PrintLab, Autodesk and Partners. Today, we have the pleasure of announcing this year’s finalists! Over the past 2 weeks, we’ve been reviewing hundreds of innovative ideas and solutions that use 3D printing to create life-improving devices for people (and pets!) with disabilities.

Boy using a disney-themed 3D printed sound toy.

15th May 2023 Make:able

For each category and age group, we have shortlisted between 3 and 6 entries, which will be put in front of the judging panel to determine the winners. For more information about the judges and process, check out our blog here.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the finalists for each category. Please note that some submissions are entered into multiple categories, and you’ll notice that we have only shown small thumbnail images of the entries. In the winner’s announcement on 1st July 2023, we’ll be sharing the full videos – giving you the opportunity to view the entire design processes and inspirational stories.

A huge thank you to all the Make:able participants and teachers – you amaze us every year!

 

Best Showcase of Empathy (Under 14)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Get a Grip – Helen Tyson Middle School
  • Team Christian – Union University Outreach
  • The Innovators – Irvine Unified School District
  • Chutt International – Malvern College Hong Kong
  • Walk This Way – Westwood Elementary

 

Best Showcase of Empathy (14-18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Team Callie – Union University Outreach
  • Bingle Bangle – Union University Outreach
  • Colleen Pigman – Waterloo High School
  • UNO Players – Mount Ogden Jr High
  • Joystickers – Casady Upper Division

 

Best Showcase of Empathy (Over 18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Team Ben – Union University
  • Michael’s Cycle – Riviera Hall Lutheran School
  • Fab Lab El Paso – Fab Lab El Paso

 

Best Creative Idea (Under 14)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Team C.A.R. – Calavera Hills Middle School
  • Team Orangutang – Calavera Hills Middle School
  • Domino Braille Embosser – Tech Kid Learning Centre
  • The Door Opener – British International School HCMC
  • Envisioneyes – Malvern College Hong Kong
  • Echo Enlight – Malvern College Hong Kong

 

Best Creative Idea (14-18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • The Pioneers – Sacred Heart School
  • Colleen Pigman – Waterloo High School
  • Phi Alpha Tau – Diamond Bar High School
  • Bottle Crew – Oaks Christian School
  • Team WHSB – Westcliff High School for Boys
  • Sato Team 17 – Sato Academy of Math and Science

 

Best Creative Idea (Over 18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Visionaries – Taylor’s University
  • Michael’s Cycle – Riviera Hall Lutheran School
  • JoySlick – Taylor’s University
  • Parkinson’s Innovators (Shake Shake) – The Glasgow School of Art

 

Best Use of Autodesk Software (Under 14)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Dawson’s Dream Team – Union University Outreach
  • Team Button – Union University Outreach
  • Craille – Tech Kid Learning Centre
  • Braille Peg – Tech Kid Learning Centre
  • Sponsh – Malvern College Hong Kong

 

Best Use of Autodesk Software (14-18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • The Trike Team – Union University Outreach
  • Team Adaptabus – Union University Outreach
  • Team Suspension Pet Addition – Diamond Bar High School
  • Meridian Academy – Meridian Academy
  • HSA engineering – Harmony School of Advancement

 

Best Use of Autodesk Software (Over 18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • The Accessible Wallet – University of Sydney
  • Computer Interface Box – Washington University in St. Louis
  • Fab Lab El Paso – Fab Lab El Paso

 

Best Showcase of Customisation (Under 14)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Team Christian – Union University Outreach
  • The Warriors – Colegio Arturo Soria
  • Trey – Malvern College Hong Kong
  • Dawson’s Dream Team – Union University Outreach
  • Grip and Grab – Stratford Academy

 

Best Showcase of Customisation (14-18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Team Adaptabus – Union University Outreach
  • Team Callie – Union University Outreach
  • The Pleasers of Old Men – Casady Upper Division
  • Sato Team 19 – Sato Academy of Math and Science
  • The Pioneers – Sacred Heart School
  • Sato Team 28 – Sato Academy of Math and Science

 

Best Showcase of Customisation (Over 18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • The Accessible Wallet – University of Sydney
  • Team Ben – Union University
  • Widener Spork – Widener University

 

Best Use of 3D Printing (Under 14)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Walk This Way – Westwood Elementary
  • Team Button – Union University Outreach
  • Braille Peg – Tech Kid Learning Centre
  • Exadas 3D Solutions – Exadas
  • KIT – Malvern College Hong Kong

 

Best Use of 3D Printing (14-18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Mt. Abram High School STEAM Lab – MSAD 58 Mt. Abram High School
  • Team Suspension Pet Addition – Diamond Bar High School
  • Exo-Hand – prepa UDEM (Universidad de Monterrey)
  • Popster Squad – Casady Upper Division
  • ASCOR – Cité des Jeunes

 

Best Use of 3D Printing (Over 18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Visionaries – Taylor’s University
  • Widener University – Widener University
  • Computer Interface Box – Washington University in St. Louis

 

Best Showcase of Iterative Design (Under 14)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Get a Grip – Helen Tyson Middle School
  • The Makers – Bellevue Christian
  • Metallic Dragons – Calavera Hills Middle School
  • Walk This Way – Westwood Elementary

 

Best Showcase of Iterative Design (14-18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • The Trike Team – Union University Outreach
  • Bingle Bangle – Union University Outreach
  • Upsilon Omicron – Diamond Bar High School
  • Team Guthrie – Casady Upper Division
  • HSA engineering – Harmony School of Advancement

 

Best Showcase of Iterative Design (Over 18)

 

Collage of 3D printed assistive devices, designed for the Make:able Challenge.

  • Widener Spork – Widener University
  • JDT Designs – Widener University
  • The Accessible Wallet – University of Sydney