The University of Florida’s Ceramic Mug Drop (CMD) design team made history in September by setting a new university UF record for the highest drop at the Materials Science & Technology Technical Meeting and Exhibition in Columbus, Ohio.
Competing for the first time, the CMD team, part of the UF Material Advantage chapter, showcased innovation, teamwork and resilience in this unique materials competition. CMD competed with two mugs created this academic year per the competition’s rules.
The team’s performance marked a major milestone for the club and set a high bar for future competitions. Team members are already looking ahead to next year’s competition, where they plan to debut a new material composition and forming method.
In the competition, mugs must be made entirely from ceramic or glass materials. Each mug is dropped starting at 30 cm and then increased by 15 cm increments until broken. Winners are determined by drop height.
In addition to its performance in the competition, the UF Material Advantage UF Chapter earned a Material Advantage Student Program Chapters of Excellence Award. This honor recognizes outstanding student chapters that demonstrate exceptional outreach, professional development and technical development throughout the year. The group received a $450 cash prize and a plaque.
To qualify, the team submitted a Chapter of Excellence Nomination, which included a comprehensive annual report outlining the club’s activities, accomplishments, and impact.
Brooke Lastinger, treasurer of the student chapter and team lead for the CMD design team, received the AIST Southeast Member Chapter Gene Suave Scholarship, a prestigious one-year $3,500 award that supports students pursuing careers in the steel and materials industries. Lastinger’s application included an essay, letters of recommendation, a transcript, and a resume to demonstrate her leadership, academic achievement and passion for metallurgy.
“I am grateful to have received the Gene Suave Scholarship,” Lastinger said. “I am currently enrolled in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering’s combined bachelor’s and master’s program, and the funds from this scholarship will aid in the cost of obtaining both degrees. I have a strong passion for metallurgy and am honored to continue to work towards what I love while representing the AIST Southeast Chapter and the University of Florida.”
Attending Members:
- Lastinger – general team lead
- Alex Johnstone – composition team lead
- Robbie Wardlow – mechanical team lead
- Linda Nguyen – outreach director
- Prisha Sherdiwala – safety and operations director
UF’s material advantage student chapter is advised by Associate Professor Victoria Miller.
Hosted by the Keramos National Professional Ceramic Engineering Fraternity, the Ceramic Mug Drop is designed to promote “spirited and collegial competition among students by demonstrating their prowess in manufacturing a ceramic mug possessing high strength, mechanical reliability, and aesthetics,” Lastinger said.