High School Materials Competition

Design It. Send It. We'll Test It.

Are you curious about what makes materials strong, durable, or high-performing? Do you want to create your own material and see how it performs using cutting-edge equipment at the University of Utah?

Join our 2025 High School Materials Competition!

Submit a material sample in one of our competition categories, and we'll put it to the test in our state-of-the-art labs. Winners will be announced at a special celebration & demonstration event in early December. Prizes include gift cards, up to $200 reimbursement for textbooks or application fee for incoming students and swag bags.

Submission Deadline: November 14, 2025
Drop-off Location: MSE Main Office, 304 CME, University of Utah
Mailing Address:
Materials Science & Engineering
Attention: Kim Watts
122 South Central Campus Dr., #304
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Important:
Click HERE to submit your competition entry. This will let us know to expect your submission.
If you are mailing your entry, it must arrive by November 14. Be sure to include:

Your full name
Email Address
Return address (if applicable)
Selected competition category
List you anticipated high school graduation year

Also, please email Kim Watts at kimberly.watts@utah.edu to let us know your package is on the way.

Let your creativity take shape - and let us test it!
We can't wait to see what you'll make.

3D PRINT COMPRESSION STRENGTH
Sample Dimensions/Materials	PLA cubes, 3 x 3 x 3 cm, 6 g or less (about 50% infill)
Testing Parameters	Samples will be compressed in the z-axis of the print and the maximum stress (force per area) will be measured.
How to WIN	The sample with the highest stress per gram will win. Aim for the lightest but strongest. In case of a tie, the winner will be the best looking of the strongest prints.
Why Engineers Care	The lighter each component in a build can be (without compromising the strength of it), the more efficient the system can be. This test is used for materials that experience steady pushing forces, like a kickstand on a bike.
Additional Notes	Test is destructive. Samples will not be returned.
Kickstarting Resources	Link: 3D Print Compression

3D PRINT IZOD IMPACT
Sample Dimensions/Materials	PLA rectangles, 8 x 1 x 0.5 cm, 4g or less (about 80% infill)
Testing Parameters	Samples will be impacted on the 1 x 8 cm face, and the strength will be measured.
How to WIN	The sample with the highest strength per gram will win. Aim for the lightest but strongest. In case of a tie, the winner will be the best looking of the strongest prints.
Why Engineers Care	The lighter each component in a build can be (without compromising the strength of it), the more efficient the system can be. This test is used for materials that experience sudden, cross-ways forces, like the joystick on a controller.
Additional Notes	Test is destructive. Samples will not be returned.
Kickstarting Resources	Link - Izod Impact Test

CASTING/FORGING GRAIN SIZE
Sample Dimensions/Materials	Metal samples no larger than 2” in any dimension. Applicants will need to specify the metal used. Sample must be manipulated by the applicant by casting or forging. As-purchased pieces will not be accepted.
Testing Parameters	Samples will be cross sectioned, polished, and then etched to show the grain structure. We’ll take 3 pictures of the surface showing around 20 grains per picture. Average grain size and size distribution will be measured.
How to WIN	Smallest average grain size wins. In the case of a tie, the winner will have the smallest standard deviation from the average.
Why Engineers Care	Smaller grain sizes in metals correspond to a higher strength and hardness in the material. This test is used for materials that need to withstand regular wear, like the blade of a sword or knife.
Additional Notes	Test is destructive. Samples will not be returned.
Kickstarting Resources	Link: Grain size analysis

TEMPERED CHOCOLATE MELTING POINT
Sample Dimensions/Materials	One section of tempered chocolate at least 0.5 g in weight. Chocolate must be made by applicant; as-purchased chocolate will not be accepted. Chocolate should be 80% cacao.
Testing Parameters	Slivers of the chocolate will be melted and the melting temperature will be recorded. Enthalpy (or the energy required to melt the chocolate) will also be measured.
How to WIN	Highest melting point will win.
Why Engineers Care	Chocolate that melts at too low of a temperature is grainy and blooms in storage, causing dramatic loss of flavor. Tempering chocolate is the best way to get that delicious taste to last.
Additional Notes	Samples will not be returned.
Kickstarting Resources	PDF - Analyzing Chocolate