Pulaski Academy to Represent Arkansas at Make48’s National Competition
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK. ─ MARCH 7, 2023 ─ Six Central Arkansas teams were tasked to create a prototype of a singular interactive experience based on the history of the Trail of Tears at the first Make48 competition held in Arkansas at the Innovation Hub on the weekend of October 6, 2022.
The Trail of Tears was a tragic event in history where approximately 60,000 people of the “Five Civilized Tribes” were forced to leave their lands by the United States government between the years of 1830 and 1850. North Little Rock has an open area within Riverfront Park where the Trail of Tears passed through. The participating teams were challenged to build an experience that honors those who have gone before, those who suffered from injustice, and those who persevered against all the challenges of the times.
A team from Pulaski Academy High School in Little Rock, the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College, eSTEM High School Charter School, Boone Park Elementary, Cross County School District, and the City of Hot Springs gathered at the Innovation Hub facility in North Little Rock to create their masterpieces in 48 hours. The team, BruWin, was led by students Galen Jauss, Allen Thomason, Evan Goodwin, and professor Les Williams from Pulaski Academy High School in Little Rock, was crowned the winner at the end of the competition on Sunday, October 8, 2022.
The City of North Little Rock has plans to turn part of its open greenspace in Riverfront Park into an experience to remember and recognize the history of the Trail of Tears using ideas from all the final prototypes.
Make48 is a national invention competition where teams are given 48 hours to come up with an idea, and create a prototype, marketing materials, and a pitch. The goal of Make48 is to foster imagination, creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.
The Make48’s 2022 city series episodes were released on the This Old House Makers Channel on Roku, channel 458, on February 22, 2023. The sixth season starts with the first city competition, Wichita, followed by Milwaukee, Madison, Indianapolis, North Little Rock, Beloit, and Kansas City.
The winning team, BruWin, will be heading to Kansas City for Make48’s national competition, which is set to happen from March 31, 2023, to April 2, 2023.
About the Innovation Hub:
The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub at Winrock International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Arkansans by inspiring innovation and expanding opportunities. We see an Arkansas where, regardless of demographic identifiers or geographic location, Arkansans are generating and inspiring innovation in cutting-edge technology, business, and creative fields. The Innovation Hub uses tools, skills, and expertise to inspire innovators and entrepreneurs who expand the range of educational and economic opportunities for themselves, for their communities, in our state, and throughout the world.
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