By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Barton County was recently selected by Make48 to participate in a last-minute pilot program this summer. Now Great Bend Economic Development Director Jason Kuilan is trying to fill spaces with area youth and teachers.
“This is a completely free summer camp running from July 20-23 for all students entering middle school through high school,” he said. “It’s open to all schools and homeschoolers in Barton County and the surrounding area.”
The Make48 Summer Pilot brings together rural Kansas students for a four-day, hands-on innovation experience. Working in teams, students will solve a real-world challenge, build a product prototype, and pitch their ideas to industry and community leaders. Hosted on a college campus, this experience introduces students to makerspace technology, teamwork, innovation, and career exploration through hands-on learning.
The Barton County event will be held at Barton Community College. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, July 20, and the program runs through 4 p.m. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each of the final three days.
Kuilan thanked Barton Community College for hosting the camp until the Innovation Center in Great Bend is up and running, and also thanked Network Kansas for its continued support.