Huskies Invent returned April 17–19, 2026, bringing together students, faculty, and industry professionals for a fast-paced weekend of innovation at St. Cloud State University. In partnership with Coldspring, the event challenged student teams to develop creative solutions to real-world manufacturing needs in just 48 hours.
The weekend-long “invent-a-thon” kicked off Friday afternoon, as SCSU and Coldspring leaders welcomed participants and emphasized the value of hands-on experience. SCSU President Gregory Tomso recognized the commitment students made by choosing to spend their weekend challenging themselves, while engineering professor Dr. Mark Schroll highlighted the importance of stepping beyond the classroom to collaborate, think creatively, and gain practical skills that translate directly to the workforce.
Following the opening remarks, Coldspring representatives introduced the company’s values, operations, and markets, providing students with context for the challenges ahead. Students were then presented with five real-world challenges based on current needs within Coldspring’s operations, encouraging teams to think creatively and develop innovative solutions.
After selecting their projects, student teams worked throughout the weekend to research, design, and prototype their solutions. With access to campus labs and support from faculty and Coldspring mentors, teams were able to test ideas, ask questions, and refine their approaches throughout the process. Drawing on real-world experience, mentors helped guide discussions and encouraged students to think through challenges in ways that aligned with practical industry applications.
By Sunday afternoon, the intensity of the challenge was clear. Teams made last-minute adjustments and refined their ideas before presenting their solutions to a panel of Coldspring professionals.
Each group delivered a unique approach to their assigned challenge. Teams proposed a range of solutions, from process improvements and equipment enhancements to concepts incorporating automation and emerging technologies, all aimed at improving efficiency and overall operations.
Following the presentations, Coldspring team members provided feedback to each group, recognizing their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. All teams demonstrated strong effort and innovative thinking, showcasing creativity, collaboration, and practical problem-solving throughout the event.
Huskies Invent continues to highlight the value of collaboration between industry and education. For Coldspring, the event offers an opportunity to engage with students, explore new ideas, and gain fresh perspectives on real-world challenges. For students, it provides hands-on experience tackling the same types of challenges they may encounter in their future careers.
