The Three Minute Thesis competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by our students. Developed by The University of Queensland, the exercise cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Students will have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. 3MT is not an exercise in trivialising or ‘dumbing-down’ research, but challenges students to consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a diverse audience.

Why Participate?

Scientific Communication Skills Development

Participating in a 3MT competition helps students develop academic, presentation and research communication skills while nurturing students’ ability to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Building Research Community

3MT provides a valuable opportunity for students to come together, get to know one another and talk about their research.  It also provides a supportive environment for the University to provide presentation skills training.

Awards

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top scoring 3MT & Poster presentations. In addition, select presenters will be featured in a special issue of Colorado Water; the publication produced by the Colorado Water Center devoted to highlighting water research and activities at CSU and throughout Colorado.  Cash prizes are planned as follows:

• • 1st Place – $1000
  • 2nd Place – $500
  • 3rd Place – $250
  • People Choice – $100

In addition to the oral 3MT, student competitors are also required to present a scientific research poster. Students MUST be present at both assigned sessions to be eligible for an award.

Please be sure to indicate your preference for consideration in the Student Competition during online abstract submission (select “Student Competition”).  We will provide pins and other supplies to mount your posters.

Dimensions

HDs posters are expected to follow the following dimensions: 45″(w) x 36″ (h). We will supply poster boards which will have TWO posters placed side-by-side on each board so please adhere to the posted dimensions to ensure everyone has adequate space to share their work. In addition to the poster board, there will be a table on which you can place handouts or other information for interested people. 

• Abstract template in Microsoft Word format
• Abstract template in Adobe PDF format

* Final acceptance in scientific program is contingent on receipt of formatted abstract/manuscript by the posted deadline AND completed conference registration

Evaluation Criteria

At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Evaluation forms will be provided to the judging panel onsite.

Criteria to consider for preparation and evaluation:

• Presentation of Research – hypothesis, research questions, objectives, methods, results and conclusions
• Visual Presentation – visual appeal, fonts, colors, headings, white space, tables/figures/graphics, spelling/grammar, documentation of sources
• Oral Presentation – narration/clear discussion of research problem, methods, and conclusions, use of jargon, ability to answer question

Eligibility

Those interested in entering the Student Competition must adhere to posted deadlines, register and submit an abstract (select “Student Competition”) to finalize their participation. 

• Students are defined as those enrolled at an accredited university in an Undergraduate, Masters, or PhD program
• Students must submit a properly formatted abstract by February 28, 2020
• Students are required to present their work in the assigned sessions (3MT AND Poster)
• Register for the conference as a student by February 28, 2020
  • Students will only be allowed to select ONE presentation format preference (Oral or Poster or Student Competition) per abstract submission

Rules

Abstracts will be reviewed by the HD Scientific Committee for inclusion in the Student Competition.  A limited number of competition slots are available – submitting an abstract does not guarantee you will be invited to compete. Selected competitors will be contacted to confirm participation in the Student Competition in early March.

• 3MT Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes may be disqualified.
  • Prepare for ~1-minute Q/A following presentation
  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted for content (see “Template” tab for details)
    • Name slide is also required – see template
• Scientific/research poster MUST accompany the oral 3MT in the corresponding session (Grand Ballroom – LSC 350)
  • See “Templates” tab for poster requirements

At every level of the competition each competitor will be assessed on the judging criteria listed below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience. Evaluation forms will be provided to the judging panel onsite.

Student Showcase Chair: Dr. Ryan T. Bailey (CEE, RyanT.Bailey@colostate.edu)

3MT Evaluation

Comprehension and Content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/ or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation – or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?

Engagement and Communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialise or generalise their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation – was it clear, legible and concise

Poster Evaluation

Criteria to consider for preparation and evaluation of your scientific research poster:

• Presentation of Research – hypothesis, research questions, objectives, methods, results and conclusions
• Visual Presentation – visual appeal, fonts, colors, headings, white space, tables/figures/graphics, spelling/grammar, documentation of sources
• Oral Presentation – narration/clear discussion of research problem, methods, and conclusions, use of jargon, ability to answer question

3MT Slides

Participants must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Slide 1 – Contestants must have a NAME slide (not counted toward slide allowance)
  • Place this slide BEFORE your content slide

• Slide 2 – Contestants are allowed ONE (1) static content slide
  • No slide transitions, animations, sound or ‘movement’ is permitted
  • Does NOT have to include text (remember that ‘less is more’)
• Prepare slide in 16:9 aspect ratio

• Slides (2) must be submitted to the conference committee no later than Monday April 6, 2020. Please send your material to: hydrologydays@engr.colostate.edu

Note: Presentations may be filmed; your slide may be embedded on the Hydrology Days website and/or posted online. 

Download PowerPoint template here

Download PDF template here

Poster Template

Participants are free to use any format of choice so long as it adheres to the following dimensions: 45″(w) x 36″ (h). Creativity, content and organization are all considered in your evaluation – visual appeal, fonts, colors, headings, white space, tables/figures/graphics, spelling/grammar, and documentation of sources are all included in the judging rubric.

Download Poster Template here

• Template provided but NOT required!