“Possibly the most common error of young engineers is to optimize something that should not exist”

-Elon Musk

Good Morning,

Welcome to the April 2026 newsletter by MAKE Publishing! Our mission is to educate, inspire, and equip the next generation to win in manufacturing. In this newsletter, we will summarize the final chapter of Blake Prepares for Manufacturing through each of our pillars; Read, Build, and Experience. We are honored to have your family onboard, let’s dive in!

READ

This month we finish our journey through the character traits of a successful manufacturer with a summary of Chapter Six in Blake Prepares for Manufacturing; Problem Solving.

This chapter begins with Blake in the Principal’s office at school, receiving his punishment for an outburst he had in class. As the son of a manufacturer, Blake doesn’t go home to reflect on his actions after school, but rather goes to the manufacturing business. There he learns about three common problem types and how manufacturing is problem solving!

BUILD

We encourage you as parents, teachers, and friends of the next generation to embrace each opportunity to teach the next generation how to solve problems. Problem solving is all around! Look at the next problem you encounter as an opportunity to teach, not a burden to bear.

To help, we developed a problem solving activity that will be sure to bring some fun!

EXPERIENCE

Have you ever considered how the manufacturing base of America powered our country to victory in World War II? Take one trip to the USS Yorktown at Patriot’s Point museum in Charleston, SC and you will experience it first hand! This aircraft carrier was manufactured in the 1940’s and served our country for nearly three decades. The manufacturing is IMPRESSIVE!

Did your child like learning about manufacturing? Please see all we have going on at MAKE Publishing and share this email with a friend!

Read | Build | Experience

Joe & Amanda