1. The Research Poster Presentation NASA Summer Interns, 2014 Presented by: Dr. Charlotte Zeamer Student Coordinator Education Office NASA Ames Research Center

2. A good poster will…poster zMeet the conventions for the specific event zMatch the audience knowledge base and interests zFocus your message – what is the one thing you want people to remember? zConvey your message visually zBe readable from about 4 - 6 feet away zBe clearly organized

3. Before your poster session… zPrepare a brief (2-3 minute) talk about your research zPractice it! zArrive early to find your location and put up your poster zBring push pins (just in case)

4. Presentation time… zDon’t be a wallflower! Make eye contact and smile if people seem interested. Start talking if they look right at you or walk over. zStay by your poster! zWith the consent of your mentor, make handouts and give them out. zTake everything with you when you go.

5. Effective Communication zPreparation zPractice zPresence

6. Sample Speech Outline I.Introduction yThesis II.Body ySupport arguments III. Conclusion yReview

7. I.Sample Poster Presentation Outline I.Greet A. Introduce yourself; get to know them if you can B. 1-sentence overview of research II.The Story of Your Research A. What made you interested in this topic? B. What question did you have? C. How did you go about finding the answer? D. What did you find? What does it mean? III. Wrap-up A. Review – 2-sentence overview of what they just heard

8. Don’t zRead directly from notes zRead directly from poster zTurn your back on your audience zSlouch, hands in pockets, avoid eye contact  Avoid um, ah, you know ’ s zStay still/calm (watch nervous gestures) zTalk too fast

9. Do zEnjoy your time talking about your research zGlance at notes/graphics if you need to zAppropriate gestures zConfirmatory questions to involve audience (remember, it’s an audience of 1 or 2, so feel free to be conversational!)

10. Tips for controlling the “ Butterflies ”…  Know the audience- greet or chat with the audience before hand. It ’ s easier to speak to friends than to strangers. zKnow your material-increased nervousness is due to feeling unsure or unprepared.

11. Control the “ Butterflies ”  Don ’ t apologize! …By mentioning your nervousness or apologizing, you ’ ll only be calling the audience ’ s attention to mistakes. zConcentrate on your message-not the medium. Focus on the message you are trying to convey and not on the poster or the graphs.

12. Ok, time to give it a try zUse this text editor to describe your work.text editorwork zUse this outline to prepare your 3-minute talk I.Greet A. Introduce yourself; get to know them if you can B. 1-sentence overview of research II.The Story of Your Research A. What made you interested in this topic? B. What question did you have? C. How did you go about finding the answer? D. What did you find? What does it mean? III. Wrap-up A.Review – 2-sentence overview of what they just heard zPractice with the person next to you yCan you do it in 3 minutes?

13. Any questions? zYou’ll do great! zBreak a leg! zResearch is fun! zTalking about it is (maybe more) fun! zAsk your mentor, too, if they have any tips.