1. Satie Airam é Bren School, Assistant Dean for Academic Programs Winter 2012 Group Project Defense Guidelines

2. Timeline of Deliverables DateDeliverable Feb 24Due to advisor: Draft report Mar 2 & 9Group Project defenses Mar 8Due to GP Coordinator: Abstract for Presentation Program Mar 23Due to GP Coordinator: Final report with all signatures (hard copy and pdf), project brief (hard copy and pdf), poster (pdf), and Faculty Advisor Evaluation Form Mar 23Due to advisor & GP Coordinator: Peer evaluations Apr 9-11Practice presentations Apr 13Group Project presentations; after presentation, give GP Coordinator hard copy of poster

3. Defense Schedule DateTimeGroup March 212-12:45 pmSea level rise March 21-1:45 pmChile salmon March 22-2:45 pmAdaptation March 23-3:45 pmAquarius March 24-4:45 pmNanjing March 99-9:45 amWaste water March 910-10:45 amComsol March 911-11:45 amDeckers water March 91-1:45 pmTejon fire March 92-2:45 pmGot milk March 93-3:45 pmAngeles March 94-4:45 pmCoral reef March 129-9:45 amAECOM energy

4. Goal and Audience Goal: Demonstrate the academic contribution of your group project Audience: –Two independent faculty reviewers –Faculty advisor Open to the public If you would like your external advisory committee to attend, you should invite them.

5. Focus Focus on project results –Also data, methodology, and conclusions Avoid sinking time into: –extensive background –detailed explanations of methods with which the reviewers likely are familiar Avoid flashy animations

6. Planning the Defense 45 minutes total –for presentation and questions 20-25 minutes of presentation –2 speakers, preferred –3 speakers, need to practice seamless transitions 20-25 minutes of questions –From reviewers –Targeted to entire group If there is time left over, then the public may ask questions

7. Defense Elements *Actual number of slides may vary, depending on the project! Topic *Approx. # of slides Title slide1 Problem and/or questions3 Objectives1 Data sources3 Methodology5 Results3-5 Analysis of results (link to objectives)3-5 Conclusions and/or recommendations1 Acknowledgments1 Total20-25

8. Project title Group project members Advisor Group Project Defense Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Date

9. Introduction Problem/questions –Clearly state problem and/or questions –Include sufficient background to motivate the need for your project –Do not give a comprehensive description of the context Objectives –Clearly identify project objectives –Each objective should be linked to data, methodology, and results

10. Data & Methodology Data sources –Identify data sources used –Describe the data relevance, completeness and gaps Methodology –Explain what methods (including quantitative analyses) were used to analyze the data –Explain why you chose these methods

11. Results Present results –Include tables, figures, and graphics to show quantitative results –Fully explain tables and figures Analyze your results –What do the results mean? Articulate how the results are linked to your original objectives

12. The Ending Conclusions/Recommendations –Summarize key findings –Describe implications of your findings –If appropriate, provide recommendations to your client based on your findings –Identify lingering or new questions and next steps Acknowledgments –Thank your advisors, funders, and collaborators

13. Questions Identify potential questions and discuss appropriate responses Divide topics such that each group member plans to cover topics with which s/he is most familiar Select a facilitator to manage questions The facilitator should –know topics that group members will address –repeat questions for the audience using the microphone –quickly select the group member(s) to respond to the question

14. Strategies for Q+A Repeat the question to clarify the question and give yourself and your group time to think about the response. Directly and succinctly answer questions. If you don’t know the answer, say so. –Provide other related information, if you have it. –Ask reviewers or audience if they have information to help answer the question. –Investigate the question further (after the defense), if the response has important implications for your project. Do not fabricate responses to questions if you don’t know the answer!

15. Evaluation Independent reviewers will: –Ask questions –Provide oral and written feedback to students and advisor Students are expected to incorporate reviewers’ feedback into your final papers

16. Evaluation Questions (1) Were the problem and/or questions clearly presented? Were project objectives clear and attainable? Were data sources appropriate and reliable? Was methodology clearly presented and justified? Were quantitative methods appropriate?

17. Evaluation Questions (2) Were results clearly presented? Did the interpretations of results satisfactorily address the problem and/or questions posed? Were any weaknesses or limitations in the analyses appropriately addressed? Were conclusions and/or recommendations justified?

18. Evaluation Questions (3) What parts of the presentation lacked information or were unclear? What parts of the presentation were most engaging or intriguing? Did the group members answer questions effectively? What recommendations, if any, do you have for the group? Do you have any other comments or concerns?