The 2026 HHP Games will be held on Thursday October 8th, 2026, in Room M201 (Melcher Life Sciences Building). This event is designed to give HHP students an opportunity to compete in educational events to obtain scholarships. There are a couple of events that are simply just for fun, and winners of those events will receive either a gift card or HHP Swag. While there are some degree level specific events, most events are open to HHP students in all degree levels.
Games Day Schedule (Tentative)
| TIME | ROOM M201 | ROOM M208 | ROOM M215 |
| 12pm | Wheelchair Games 12-12:45 | Jeopardy Quiz Bowl 12:45-1:30 | Anatomage Table Game 12.45 - 1.30 |
| 1pm | Food brawl-1:30-2.30pm | E-sports Games 1:30-2pm | |
| 2pm | Lab-Lympics (completed by 2:45pm) | MAT Case Reports 2:15-3:00 | |
| 3pm | Ping Pong: 3:00 - 4:00 | ||
| 4pm | Elevator Pitch 4:15-4:45pm | ||
| 5pm | 4:50pm Awards |
All Degree Levels:
Food Brawl: Space Station Snacks: Protein Packed (Scholarship)
Space Station Snacks: Protein Packed, this is a cook-off where you’ll design a high-protein
snack that could be eaten in space!
Each entry must meet the following requirements:
- High protein
- Be zero-gravity friendly, mess-free, and easy to handle.
Snacks will be judged on the following categories:
- Protein content (10 pts)
- Space Functionality (45 pts): Zero-gravity friendly, mess-free, portable, and easy to handle
- Taste & Texture (25 pts): Flavor, balance, and overall eating experience
- Creativity & Innovation (20 pts): Follows space theme, presentation, originality, and unique approach
- Bonus points will be given for creative packaging and unique protein sources.
Students will need to research and create a nutritional facts label for the food item. Students will also write a paper of 200 words or less describing how their item meets the requirements. Students will need to have at least one full item for display and then "bites" of the item to pass out
Students will need to create a recipe that fits a set of criteria listed above. They will also bring their creation to the event for judges to try. The winner will receive a scholarship. There will also be a “Golden Bite” award that will go to a contestant as well. The Golden Bite award will be voted on by anyone who shows up to Games.
Ping Pong Tournament (Gift Card):
This event is open to students, faculty, and staff. Teams of up to 3 people can be a combination of students and faculty. Teammates are allowed to swap players between points scored. The games will be in a tournament style. Games will be single elimination style and last 5 minutes long. The winning team will move on to the next round. The final winners will be awarded gift cards and the Golden Paddle Award. You must preregister for this event.
Wheelchair Relay (Gift Card):
Students will compete in a series of wheelchair agility skills. They will team up in groups of 3. If students do not have a group of 3 at sign-up, they can team assigned to them at Games upon arrival.
Lab-Lympics (Gift Card):
Students will compete in a series of mini games: carnival style to test their skills in various formats. Each lab will have a mini game you can complete. Games will consist of a pipet relay, push up contest, a wheelchair obstacle course, swirling targets, and digital anatomy.
Astronaut Taste Training (HHP Swag):
Before astronauts launch into space, they must understand how different foods fuel the body and support performance. In the Astronaut Taste Training: Fuel for Flight Challenge, participants will put their senses and nutrition knowledge to the test by sampling a series of mystery foods while their eyes are closed.
Students will taste one item from each category and attempt to identify the food or flavor. After making their selection, participants will also determine the food's primary nutrient source: carbohydrate, protein, or fat.
Each correct food identification and nutrient classification earns points. Participants who achieve a perfect score will receive an entry into a gift card drawing, while all other participants will have the opportunity to select an item from the HHP swag bucket.
Mission Control: The Human Body. Digital Anatomy on the Anatomage Table. (HHP Swag & Gift Cards):
Put your anatomy knowledge to the test using the Anatomage Table, a state-of-the-art virtual dissection and anatomy visualization system. Participants will be shown a series of anatomical structures and asked to correctly identify muscles, bones, organs, nerves, or other body regions displayed on the table.
The challenge will be conducted in rounds of 8 participants at a time. Competitors will earn points for each correct identification, and the participant with the highest score in each round will receive one ticket for a gift card drawing. All other participants will have the opportunity to select one item from the HHP Swag Bucket.
This interactive event is designed to reinforce anatomy knowledge while showcasing the technology used throughout HHP programs. Whether you're an anatomy expert or just looking to test your skills, this challenge offers a fun and engaging way to explore the human body.
Student Volunteer Information
Looking for volunteer hours? HHP Games has become an annual event that is a central part of the Fall semester in HHP. HHP Games would not be possible without the many people coming together to support the set up and tear down. Please click this link to sign up to volunteer!
Undergrad Students:
Jeopardy Quiz Bowl (Scholarship)
How well do you know exercise science? Compete to win a chance to attend the Texas ACSM meeting in Waco in February 2027 and represent UH to compete against other teams from across the state. Sign up individually or as a team (2-3 students) for this Jeopardy-style competition. We will test your knowledge in exercise physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, exercise testing and prescription, and other related subjects. Good luck!!
MAT Students:
MAT Case Reports (Scholarship)
MAT students complete a case report on a unique patient injury, documenting the patient's background, injury history, interventions, outcomes, and clinical bottom line. During this competition, students will present a brief summary of their case and highlight key lessons learned from the patient's care.
Presentations will be evaluated on the overview of the case, intervention strategy, patient outcomes, clinical significance, delivery, and time management. This event provides students with an opportunity to showcase their clinical reasoning, communication skills, and ability to apply athletic training concepts to real-world patient care.
VIsual aids are not allowed during the presentation.
E-Sports Tournament (Gift Card Award)
E-Sports Tournament - Sign up
Students will compete in a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tournament on Nintendo Switch. This tournament will be set up as a bracket-style competition. Participants will race through a four-course Grand Prix consisting of Mario Kart Stadium, Electrodrome, Neo Bowser City, and Rainbow Road. Rounds will consist of 4 players per race, with points awarded based on finishing position in each course. At the end of the Grand Prix, the racer with the lowest overall point total will be eliminated, while the remaining racers will advance to the next round. The tournament will continue until a champion is crowned. Strategy, speed, and smart item usage will be key to navigating these iconic tracks and advancing through the bracket.
PHD Students:
Elevator Pitch: (Multiple Scholarships)
Ph.D. Elevator Pitch 2026 – Sign up
Graduate students will present an overview of their research in a 2-3 minute speech to judges. Pretend that you are in line with Dr. Khator at a football game or on the elevator with another faculty member outside of your direct discipline at a research conference and they ask you about your work. Keep in mind that these people may also serve on the panels that review and decide on funding opportunities. Although the elevator pitch may not be a “direct sell”, it should also include an element of why supporting and funding the project is important.
The presentation should communicate the significance and an overview of your work. We are looking for confidence, conciseness, and clarity. Students should present themselves in the way they want to be viewed as a professional in their field. Visual aids cannot be used, and students will lose points for a presentation that exceeds three minutes.
You will be judged on:
- Content: Clear research background, gap, problem, and significance (why we should care); clear findings/outcomes (planned or completed); logical flow; be compelling, but realistic, present your project accurately without overstating the real-world impact or scope;
- Comprehension: Framed for a non-specialist audience, but still including the essential depth and rigor;
- Communication and Engagement: Dynamic vocal delivery, pace, and eye contact; high enthusiasm; is in the 2-3 minute length range.
Judges will judge your presentation on the criteria above and the top students will receive scholarships.