Design Contest Winners

Entries are judged on the following criteria:

1.  Novelty

2.  Feasibility

3.  Documentation Quality

The SPE Blow Molding Division has held its Student Design Contest annually since 2001, and selected 38 different entries for recognition. Past winners of the Student Design Contest and their winning entries are listed below and can be viewed through the embedded PDF links. 

2024

1st Place Nick Frederick, Troy Johnson, Myranda Findlay, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Workout Log

2nd Place Colin Deeter, Madison Messmer, Sydney Svetkovich, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - Memory Bank Time Capsule

3rd Place  Colton Ammerman, Jackson Mayer, Pennsylvania College of Technology - Insulated Concrete Form

2023

1st Place Evan Quinn, Ben Dobsen, Jonah Shafer, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Green Top Refugee Housing

2nd Place Joe Greene, Colin Ryan, Zachary Potter, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - Marking Buoy

3rd Place Taye Sayre, Greg Simon, Connor Zik, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - AR-15 Foregrip

2022

1st Place Brennon Anderson, Zachary Brandl, Jovan Heusser, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Biodegradable Urn

Honorable Mention Logan Battles, Tristen Lee, Evan States, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - Kayak Rack
Honorable Mention   Dylan Brown, Sam Krantweiss, Daniel Sterner, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College- Kayak Transporter

2021

1st Place Alec Oxbrough, Jared Jacob, and Anton Rearick, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Truck Bed Seat

Honorable Mention Lucas McNamara, Becca Olanrewaju, Nick Willetts, and Dawson Ammon,
                                    Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Flowerbed

Honorable Mention  Amy Nolte, Andrew Serakowski, and Ethan Ravotti, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College –Osprey Nest Holder

Honorable Mention  Andrew McCauley, Joseph Mirizio, and Zach Achille, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Baby Beetle

2020

1st Place Jacob Doehrel, Adrion Orange, and Alicia Velcko, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Snap Fit Flooring

Honorable Mention Jacob Hamilton and Derek Kuhn, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Bike Roof Rack

Honorable Mention Bobbi Doubet and Joshua Stanford, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Pitchfork

Honorable Mention Daniel Irwin, Dane Rhoades and Joshua Wagner, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College – Paraplegic Sled

2019

1st Place     Kevin Cummings and Hunter Fantechi, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - Manhole Cover

Honorable Mention     Bradley Boreali and Alexandra Oliver, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - Vehicle Roof-Top Pop-Up Tent

Honorable Mention    Matt Feldbauer and Greg Streiff, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - Side by Side Bed for UTV

2018

1st Place     Ryan Bauer and Logan Luzier, Penn State University, The Behrend College - Calf Hutch

2nd Place    Zach Ishman and Mike Sterner, Penn State University, The Behrend College  - Riot Shield

3rd Place     Michael Rossi and Jacob Tingley, Penn State University, The Behrend College - Plastic Blank Firing Cartridge

2017

1st Place    Kevin Orndorf and Nigel Robertshae,, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - Extrusion Blow Molded 4ft Step Ladder

2nd Place    Brendan MacFarlane and Jeremy Slagle, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - Blow Molded Guitar Case

3rd Place     Kate Pellett, Chris Weikert, Glenn Spiering, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - Extrusion Blow Molded Pool Carrier

2016

1st Place     Lindsey Gatesman,  Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - EBM Bumper with Tackoffs

2nd Place    Casey Baran,  Penn State Erie, The Behrend College -  EBM Cornhole Board

3rd Place     Charles Buckley & Bryce Reeves,  University of Florida - Blow Molded Customizable Trophies

2015

1st Place     Brittany Ochs, Penn State Erie - Blow Molded Dog Bed  

2nd Place    Dalton Singer,  Penn State Erie - Plastic Landscape Edging

3rd Place     Kierstyn Williams,  Penn State University  - Extrusion Blow Molded Wheelbarrow Tray

2014

1st Place    Jeremy Weigand,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - Customizable Backpack

2nd Place   Corey Benedict,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - Vacuum Lint Catcher

3rd Place    Brian Johnson,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - Redesign of a Standard Packaging Peanut

2013

1st Place    Michael Speranza,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - 3D Step Tube for Automobiles

2nd Place   Matthew Ference Penn State University, The Behrend College -  Plasti-Garage – Extrusion Blow Molded Garage Door Panel

3rd Place    Matthew Gillenberger,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - Plastic Casket

2012

1st Place    Pat Scullion,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - Acoustic Toy Guitar Body

1st runner-up in the upperclassman category    Bobby Emmett,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - Traffic Light

1st runner-up in the underclassman category    Tamara Rader,  Pennsylvania College of Technology - Lily Pitcher

2011

1st Place    Garrett DeCasper,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - Suit or Garment Box  

2nd Place   Kristen Kilroy,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - Hard Shelled ABS Extrusion Blown Suitcase

3rd Place    Bradley Koren,  Penn State University, The Behrend College - Road Signs

2010

1st Place   Justin Schmade,  Penn State University, The Behrend College -  Blow Molded Utility Pole Transformer

1st Place Co-winner  Chad Houghton, Penn State University, The Behrend College - Impact Resistant Support Columns

2009

1st Place    Brad Beers,  Penn State Erie - Extrusion Blow Molded Orthotic Devices

2nd Place   Zachary Stefanik,  Penn State Erie - Poly-Hanger Hang-on Tree Stand

3rd Place    Steve Parrish,  Penn State Erie - Extrusion Blow Molded Gun Stock

2008

1st Place   Matt Zimbicki,  Penn State Erie - Surf Boards of Tomorrow

2007

1st Place  Patrick Harris,  Penn State Erie - Kayak Cargo Carrier

1st Place   Rocky Viggiano ,  Penn State Erie - Bipolar Fuel Cell Plates for Hydrogen Fuel Cells

2006

1st Place  Erica Smith & Ray McKee,  Penn State Erie - Plastic Tuba Mute

2005

1st Place   Atanas Gagov & Pankaj Rathi,  University of Akron - Plastic Exhaust System using 3D Blow Molding

2004

1st Place   Michael Jesus,  Western Washington University - Air Swoosh Stadium Seat (Part 1) and (Part 2)

2003

1st Place  Julia Hamlin, Heather Curtin, Julia Carlson,  Western Washington University - Blow Molded Paintbrush Handle (Part 1)
and (Part 2)

2002

1st Place   Colin A. Anderson,  Western Washington University - Blow Molded Flashlight Body

2001

1st Place   John Raybuck,  Penn State Erie - Blow Molded Toothbrush Handle