• Call for First Round Submissions
    March 9, 2016
  • First Round Submission Deadline
    April 1, 2016
  • CTE Makeover Bootcamp
    April 11 - May 22, 2016
  • Blueprint Deadline
    May 22, 2016
  • Prize Winners Announced
    June 17, 2016
  • Makerspace Build Out
    June - September 2016
  • current stagePrize Winner Showcase
    October 1, 2016 at the World Maker Faire

About The Challenge

The U.S. Department of Education invited schools to enter the CTE Makeover Challenge by submitting a design for a CTE makerspace. Makerspaces provide students the materials and environment they need to create, invent, tinker, and explore, helping them build vital career skills, including critical thinking, planning, communication, and problem solving.

All eligible schools had access to the CTE Makeover Bootcamp, a 6-week program that provided resources and expertise in makerspace design and planning. Up to 10 prize winners will each receive $20,000 in cash and other prizes to turn their vision for a makerspace into a reality.

What is Making? What is a Makerspace? Click here to learn more.

Take a video tour of the winning makerspaces:

 

CTE Makeover Bootcamp

Bootcamp Resources

During this phase of the Challenge, all eligible entrants had access to master classes,
online learning resources, and experts to plan their makerspace.

  • Learning
    by Doing
  • Design
    and Planning
  • Budgeting
    and Resources
  • Community
    Engagement

Awards

See Full Prize List

Up to 10 Schools will win prizes to help build their makerspaces.

$200,000

Total Cash Prize Pool

Prizes awarded under this competition will be paid by electronic funds transfer and may be subject to Federal income taxes.

Sponsors

ED is excited to offer additional in-kind prizes donated by the following organizations:

  • Autodesk
  • DonorsChoose.org
  • Dremel
  • Etsy Manufacturing
  • LEGO Education
  • littleBits
  • Maker Ed
  • MakerBot
  • Makerspaces.com
  • Makey Makey
  • Microsoft
  • Mozilla Foundation
  • National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3)
  • Printrbot
  • Shapeways.com
  • ShopBot
  • Snap-on Incorporated
  • SparkFun
  • TIES Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES)
  • Fab Foundation
  • U.S. Fab Lab Network

Judges