Team Scientific Splash (Doni Hatz, Tim Kornahrens, Julie Riggs, and Tim Williams) won second place in the 2009 International Hot Glass Invitational (IHGI) with Elements at Play, a Cirque du Soleil–style sculpture. Featured were aerial artists flying high amidst colorful hollow-form tent spires, a hamster-wheel contraption, and ornamental flames.

Team Northstar (Clinton Roman, Scott Deppe, Darby Holm, and Matthew Stroven) created the winning 2009 International Hot Glass Invitational (IHGI) entry, a skull-and-spine chandelier inspired by findings in a Czech monastery. Careful planning and well-orchestrated teamwork on the part of the members made this an outstanding entry.