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Rubber Band Contest winners Cienna Kamanda (left) and Daniel Vaughn (right) with their inventions.

The University of ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s (ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ) ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Global Polymer Academy, an outreach division of the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, is proud to announce the winners of the 17th Annual . This national competition challenges students in grades five through eight to demonstrate their creativity and problem-solving skills by incorporating rubber bands into original inventions or works of art.

Entries were evaluated in two divisions — Arts & Leisure and Science & Engineering — and judged on creativity, effectiveness, design and the integration of rubber bands.

2025 Winners: Arts & Leisure Division

• First Place: Cienna Kamanda, Grade 8, Lancaster, Pa. – “The Last Escape”
• Runner-up: Cooper Smith, Grade 8, Lancaster, Pa. – “The Re-centering Controller”
• Finalists: Brooklyn Jones, Colin Lee, Violet Lockwood and Angus Meriste

2025 Winners: Science & Engineering Division

• First Place: Daniel Vaughn, Grade 8, Lititz, Pa. – “Fishing Friend”
• Runner-up: Cade Bittecuffer, Grade 6, Ravenna, Ohio – “The Freezer Safe Label”
• Finalists: Oliver Gill, Preston Glenny, Ezra Juceam and Jackson Moss

The Rubber Band Contest provides a platform for students to explore real-world applications of polymer science and engineering. Each finalist submitted a photograph of themselves with their design and a short video presentation as part of the final judging process. In addition to the creative and technical components, students were evaluated on their ability to clearly communicate their ideas and the function of their inventions.

"The Rubber Band Contest is one of the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Global Polymer Academy’s most successful and enduring competitions," shared Dr. Mark Soucek, interim director of the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. "While the rubber band is an ordinary, everyday object, contestants use their imagination to construct truly extraordinary devices. This year was no exception, with winners creating innovative entries that ranged from functional designs to artistic whimsy."

We extend our congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists, and recognize the efforts of every student who participated. We are also grateful to the educators, mentors, parents and judges who supported these students along the way. Special thanks to our Gold Level Sponsor, , for making this program possible.

More Than Just a Contest: Student Perspectives

"I loved the experience of being included in this project and really enjoyed the time and work I put into it. The Freezer Safe Label opened my eyes to see the value in everything — even tiny things. I was inspired to create this invention when the time came to invent. This process made me realize how much I’m capable of and what I can do in the future. I also realized that you don’t need a lot of expensive stuff to have fun and make a good invention — you need time, effort, work ethic and, of course, random materials you can turn into something cool and useful. When I got runner-up in this competition, I was so happy I actually won something! I felt like all my work finally paid off. It also lifted the stress off my shoulders from waiting to see the results. Even though I didn’t get first, I’m glad I still got to be part of this wonderful experience." – Cade Bittecuffer

"The Rubber Band Contest was a rewarding experience that challenged my creativity and allowed me to innovate in ways I had never considered. It encompassed everything from the engineering design process to video production and reached far beyond my expectations. The contest inspired my work by requiring me to take a mundane everyday object — a rubber band — and transform it into a unique creation. Having to employ such a simple device and create something more complex was a creative challenge like no other. It allowed me to see and be inspired by how something so ordinary could be the foundation of a complete working invention.

"Being the runner-up in a nationwide contest is very exciting, and I take pride in the fact that I was able to produce a work others appreciated. In addition, knowing and being friends with the winners of both categories makes the title even more meaningful to me, as we are all able to take pride and share happiness in what each of us has accomplished. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to participate and finish as a runner-up in such a rewarding and unique challenge and I thank all those at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ who made it possible." – Cooper Smith

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Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.