Attendance at MS&T events exposes students to networking, learning, and fun. Students in the materials science field should take advantage of this unique opportunity to interact with professionals from all areas of materials science. Learn how to enter contests, sign up for student activities, and view a schedule of student events below.
Material Advantage (MA) Chapter Travel Grants
MA chapters that plan to attend MS&T21 in person can apply for a US$500 Material Advantage Chapter Travel Grant! Chapter must be active and at least one Chapter Officer must be present at the Chapter Officer Workshop and Student Mixer to be considered for funding. Travel grants are made payable to the university’s MA Faculty Advisor at the conclusion of the conference. Travel grants are restricted to one grant per chapter per year.
The deadline to apply for a Material Advantage Travel Grant is September 17, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Courtney Young.
Material Advantage Chapter Travel Grant Application
Virtual Chapter Officer Workshop – FOR CHAPTER OFFICERS ONLY
Network and share best practices! This year’s Chapter Officer Workshop will take place on September 23, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. This virtual workshop provides a detailed introduction to the Material Advantage Student Program for chapter officers.
Registration is required for this workshop as well as for MS&T. This workshop is for Material Advantage Chapter Officers only.
Register here by September 15, 2021. Contact Drew Fleming for more information.
NEW! Student Social Media Contest
Students who post a photo on Facebook using the hashtag #MST21students will be entered for a chance to win one of three cash prizes! Photos must show that you are on site at MS&T21 in Columbus or attending one of the virtual sessions to be considered.
Post your photos with the #MST21students on Sunday, October 17, through Tuesday, October 19, to participate. One winner will be chosen each day, so you have three chances to win!
Creativity is always welcome. All winners will be announced at the conclusion of MS&T21. Contact Courtney Young for more information.
2021 Undergraduate Student Poster Contest
The purpose of this contest is to encourage undergraduate students to present their undergraduate research experiences and to improve their communication skills. The poster entered must be the work of an undergraduate and completed during the undergraduate education of the student.
The work presented in the poster does not have to be performed at the student’s home institution, but could be, for example, from a project performed as part of a co-op experience, a summer internship, or a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) project.
First, second, and third places will be given in the amounts of $250, $150, and $100, respectively. All undergraduate students are eligible to enter the poster contest. The winners will be announced at the student awards ceremony at MS&T.
To be eligible to enter the contest you must submit your abstract to the symposium titled, 2021 Undergraduate Student Poster Contest. You will be asked to register and log in to submit your abstract(s). The deadline for abstract submissions to the Undergraduate Student Poster Contest is September 27, 2021.
Undergraduate Student Poster Schedule for in-person posters:
• Monday, October 18: Poster installation, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 19: Poster judging, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Poster judging with contestants, 11:00 a.m. to Noon
• Wednesday, October 20: Poster removal, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
See below for the poster contest scoresheet, judging guide, and some tips on creating a technical poster.
Poster Scoresheet
Poster Judging Guide
Guide for Creating a Technical Poster
2021 Graduate Student Poster Contest
The purpose of the contest, open to current graduate students pursuing M.S. or Ph.D. degrees, is to recognize superior research performed during graduate study. Posters must be accepted for the MS&T technical program to be entered into the contest. Entries will be displayed in the general poster session.
If you are pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. degree and your poster abstract has been accepted into the MS&T technical program, you are eligible to enter. First, second, and third place prizes will be given in the amounts of $250, $150, and $100, respectively.
Graduate Student Poster contestants must be reported to Yolanda Natividad by September 27, 2021. Please note that you must have an accepted abstract for MS&T21 to be eligible. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Yolanda.
Graduate Student Poster Schedule for in-person posters
• Monday, October 18: Poster installation, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 19: Poster judging, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Poster judging with contestants, 11:00 a.m. to Noon
• Wednesday, October 20: Poster removal, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 17
2021 Undergraduate Student Speaking Contest
Final: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MS&T is the host to the Material Advantage Undergraduate Student Speaking Contest. The purpose of the contest is to encourage undergraduate students to present technical papers and to improve their presentation skills. The presentation subject must be technical but can relate to any aspect of materials science and engineering. One contestant from a university is able to compete in this contest.
Cash prizes to be awarded to contest winners are as follows: $500 for first place, $250 for second place, $150 for third place, and $100 for fourth place. See below for contest rules, grading sheets, and the winner reporting form.
Speaking Contest Rules (PDF)
Speaking Contest Grading Sheets (PDF)
Speaking Contest Winner Reporting Form (PDF)
MS&T speaking contestants must be reported to
Yolanda Natividad by
September 27, 2021. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Yolanda.
Student Networking Mixer
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: George Bellows Ballroom at the Columbus Hilton Hotel
Show your school spirit by wearing your colors to this informal and fun event that will provide students with the opportunity to engage with peers, Faculty Advisors, and society volunteer leaders from around the globe. In addition to casual networking, the evening will include cold beverages and light snacks. We hope to see you there!
Monday, October 18
AIST Student Plant Tour
Time: Noon to 4:00 p.m.
AIST will offer students the opportunity to tour Worthington Industries. Students registered for MS&T21 before August 22, 2021 will be contacted by e-mail to sign up. Advance registration is required.
About Worthington Industries
Worthington Industries (NYSE:WOR) is a leading industrial manufacturing company delivering innovative solutions to customers that span many industries including transportation, construction, industrial, agriculture, retail, and energy. Worthington is North America’s premier value-added steel processor and producer of laser welded products; and a leading global supplier of pressure cylinders and accessories for applications such as fuel storage, water systems, outdoor living, tools and celebrations. The Company’s brands, primarily sold in retail stores, include Coleman®, Bernzomatic®, Balloon Time®, Mag Torch®, Well-X-Trol®, General®, Garden-Weasel®, Pactool International® and Hawkeye™. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington operates over 50 facilities in 15 states and seven countries and employs approximately 8,000 people.
AIST Foundation Steel to Students Recruiting Reception
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Franklin Room C&D, Hyatt Regency Columbus Hotel
Position yourself ahead of your peers by attending the Steel to Students Recruiting Reception held in conjunction with MS&T21! The reception is a golden opportunity to meet established professionals and hiring managers interested in investing in the next generation of the steel industry. Take advantage of the opportunity to network and maybe even secure an internship or job after graduation!
Tuesday, October 19
Ceramic Mug Drop Contest
Time: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
The Ceramic Mug Drop contest allows students to demonstrate their prowess in designing and manufacturing a ceramic mug possessing high strength, mechanical reliability, and/or aesthetics. Mugs fabricated by students from ceramic raw materials are judged (separately) on aesthetics and then by dropping them from ever-increasing heights. The mug with the highest successful drop height will win!
Both in-person and virtual submissions will be allowed. A virtual open category has been set up for those who do not have access to university labs. Also be sure to submit your mugs to the aesthetic category for a chance to win in case your mug does not survive the drop!
Review the Ceramic Mug Drop Contest Rules for further details. Submissions are due by October 10, 2021, 11:59 PM (US Central time).
The Ceramic Mug Drop Contest is sponsored by Keramos.
Ceramic Disc Golf Contest
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
This contest always attracts attention! Students create discs from ceramic or glass materials to meet certain specifications, and the discs are thrown into a regulation disc golf basket. Each disc will be judged in the categories of farthest distance achieved and artistic merit (aesthetics). The disc that is successfully thrown into the disc golf basket from the farthest distance in the fewest number of shots will be named winner of the Ceramic Disc Golf Contest, and the most aesthetically pleasing/creative disc will be recorded as “Best Looking” disc.
Both in-person and virtual submissions will be allowed. A virtual open category has been set up for those who do not have access to university labs. Also be sure to submit your discs to the aesthetic category for a chance to win in case your disc does not survive the toss!
Review the Ceramic Disc Golf Contest Rules for further details and how to submit entries. Virtual submissions are due by October 10, 2021, 11:59 PM (US Central time).
The Ceramic Disc Golf Contest is sponsored by Keramos.
Student Awards Ceremony
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Exhibition Hall, Greater Columbus Convention Center
Congratulate the winners of this year’s contests: Material Advantage Chapters of Excellence, Student Speaking Contest, Graduate and Undergraduate Poster Contests, Ceramic Mug Drop Contest, Ceramic Disc Golf Contest, TMS Superalloys Awards, AIST/AISI Scholarships, and Keramos National Awards.