Thermoplastic Materials and Foams Video Challenge

The Thermoplastic Materials and Foams Challenge invites video submissions from high school, undergraduate and graduate students around the world to propose creative solutions.

This year’s theme, Thermoplastic Materials and Foams as One, challenges teams to demonstrate how they can utilize this combination for an application that details: 

  • Polymer selection in foamed and unfoamed states
  • Processing : single stage or multistage
  • Performance predictions to meet the application needs
  • End of life recommendations for reuse or degradation

Competition Format

Submit a 6-minute video (in English) introducing your design concept. 

IMPORTANT! Your video must be hosted on a platform such as YouTube or Vimeo. You will provide a link to your video in the submission form.  Videos not hosted on a platform will not be accepted.

Deadline
June 5, 2026, 11:59 pm ET

Entering Your Submission

After clicking the "Enter Your Submission Here" button:

  • If you ARE a member of SPE, you will login using your SPE membership login information.
  • If you are NOT a member of SPE, you will need to set up a SPE customer account.

Forget or lose your login information? Click here to reset your password.

Why Compete?

  • Garner international visibility
  • Present your ideas to experts and potential employers during the FOAMS 2026 where industry professionals will be voting for your submission

Judging Criteria

A global panel of experts from academia and industry will review all videos.

  • Creativity in application of thermoplastic and foam to product application 
  • Processing and performance methods 
  • End of life recycling or degradation options
  • Communication 

Up to 5 videos will be selected and will be presented at the FOAMS 2026 in Novi, Michigan, June 22-24, 2026l. Award winners will be determined by votes from attendees of the Foams Conference utilizing a People’s Choice Format.

Who Can Enter

  • Students (9-12th Grade, Undergraduate, Graduate Students)
  • Teams (1-4 Students)

Rules & Requirements

  • All submissions must be original and created entirely by the participants.
  • Entries cannot be generated by artificial intelligence.
  • Participants are responsible for ensuring no infringement of institutional or corporate intellectual property rights.

Questions?

Please contact Nandika Anne D'Souza, nandika.dsouza@utdallas.edu.

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