1. Successful Presentations Judy Strang & Elizabeth R. Blackmer

2. The Planning Challenge Knowing what to say Knowing what to say Preparing materials Preparing materials Practicing Practicing Critique and revision Critique and revision

3. The Audience Problem Who are they? Who are they? Peer Peer Expert Expert What to do? What to do? Explain relevance of research Explain relevance of research Define terms Define terms Condense and translate Condense and translate

4. Group Activity Group with other cadets who are doing the same form of presentation as you are Group with other cadets who are doing the same form of presentation as you are Poster group: practice your “30 second spot” Poster group: practice your “30 second spot” Presentation group: practice your explanation of what you’re doing and why it is relevant (30 seconds or less) Presentation group: practice your explanation of what you’re doing and why it is relevant (30 seconds or less)

5. Presentation Etiquette Grace under pressure Grace under pressure Rules Rules Slow, clear, ample speaking voice Slow, clear, ample speaking voice

6. Posters Check schedule Check schedule Relax; let poster attract Relax; let poster attract Poster is background for your conversation Poster is background for your conversation Memorize your 30 second spot and your 3 minute explanation Memorize your 30 second spot and your 3 minute explanation Don’t leave your poster Don’t leave your poster

7. Oral Presentations Check schedule Check schedule Arrive early to secure technology needs Arrive early to secure technology needs Be flexible Be flexible Simplify Simplify 10 minute limit 10 minute limit

8. 15 Minutes Plus 3 for Questions? Example from the NCUR program: 6 presentations in 90 minutes Q: If 5 speakers take 18 minutes each, how many minutes will Visker, the last student, have? A: Zero minutes.

9. Creating Power Point Slides Organize ideas Organize ideas “Magic 6” rule “Magic 6” rule Explain abbreviations, acronyms Explain abbreviations, acronyms No more than 2 slides a minute and fewer is better No more than 2 slides a minute and fewer is better Consistent effects; low key or no animation Consistent effects; low key or no animation

10. Slide Text Tips Express ideas clearly, succinctly Express ideas clearly, succinctly “Floor test” for font size “Floor test” for font size Avoid all caps and fancy fonts Avoid all caps and fancy fonts Use design templates Use design templates

11. Tips for Visuals Label visuals clearly Label visuals clearly Enhance ideas; don’t overwhelm Enhance ideas; don’t overwhelm No more than 2 per slide as a rule of thumb No more than 2 per slide as a rule of thumb Color balance; appropriate contrast Color balance; appropriate contrast

12. Why Use Zebrafish as a Model? Zebrafish have been recently highlighted in Science Rapid morphogenesis Easy observation Available markers for nervous system growth

13. Morphometric Data *p<0.05

14. Histology 60 hpf Control 60 hpfClomiphene 60 hpf

15. For All Slides Proofread carefully Proofread carefully Have someone else proofread, too Have someone else proofread, too Practice with a big screen Practice with a big screen

16. Does Proofreading Really Matter? Can you see the errors in these NCUR program entries? Do the errors affect your perception of academic quality?

17. Practicing and Revising Do a “dress rehearsal” Do a “dress rehearsal” at least 48 hours before the event at least 48 hours before the event with a real audience: peer and expert with a real audience: peer and expert using your actual materials using your actual materials Ask for feedback, then LISTEN Ask for feedback, then LISTEN Revise based on the feedback Revise based on the feedback

18. Individual Activity List your needs on the piece of paper provided List your needs on the piece of paper provided List any outside assistance you need to meet your needs List any outside assistance you need to meet your needs Who can help you? Who can help you?

19. Resources Writing Center Writing Center Look for “Resources for Creating Power Point Slides” in your email Look for “Resources for Creating Power Point Slides” in your email Mentors Mentors Peers Peers

20. The Planning Challenge: Start Today! Knowing what to say Knowing what to say Preparing materials: you don’t have to be done with research to get started Preparing materials: you don’t have to be done with research to get started Practicing Practicing Critique and revision Critique and revision