OU-Tulsa 3MT Competition

OU-Tulsa faculty, staff, and students, do you know a student who has great research to share and can share it in only three minutes?

Students, if you only had three minutes, could you:

  • Explain your research to a prospective employer?
  • Convince a potential donor to support your project?
  • Share your discoveries with a non-specialist audience?
  • Entice others to want more information about your research?

Do you want to improve your communication and presentation skills?

OU-Tulsa will be hosting a local 3-minute thesis competition on Tuesday, January 14th at 6:00 PM in the Schusterman Library. Students will present their dissertation, thesis or other graduate level projects in just 3 minutes (and with just 1 slide) to a non-specialist audience.

Prizes will be awarded

  • First Place-$500
  • Second Place-$250
  • People’s Choice-$250 (yes, bring your friends and family)

This event is co-sponsored by the OU-Tulsa Graduate College and Schusterman Library.

Please register for the event by noon on Friday, January 10th at http://bit.ly/Tulsa3MT

Eligibility: OU Norman and OUHSC graduate students on the Tulsa campus who are enrolled in a master’s program (thesis, project, exhibition) or a doctoral program for Spring 2020 and who are in good academic standing. Note: Students may enter the competition even if their research results have not been finalized.

Note: The OU-Tulsa competition is separate from but also a precursor to the all-campus 3MT competition that will occur in Norman in February 2020. Tulsa students who want to be involved in a 3MT competition who do not want to compete in the all-campus competition are welcome to apply as are students who want to use the Tulsa campus 3MT competition to practice for presenting in the all-campus 3MT competition. Please email Dr. Jennifer Kisamore, Associate Dean of the Tulsa Graduate College, if you have any questions about the competition (jkisamore@ou.edu).

Rules:

  • Presentations are limited to three minutes; competitors exceeding three minutes will be disqualified.
  • Design one static slide to be displayed throughout the presentation. All slides must be submitted as a pdf image (1024x768 pixels).
  • No slide transitions, animations, or ‘movement’ are allowed.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps, or songs).
  • No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g., laser pointers, costumes, musical instruments, or laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a competitor starts their presentation through either movement or speech.

Preparing Your Single Static Slide for 3MT®

When deciding what to include on the slide to accompany your presentation, let the phrase "less is more" be your guide.

  • Your slide should be clear and concise. Remember, the judges are concentrating on you and your presentation—three minutes offers very little time to focus on an overly-detailed slide.
  • Choose quality images, and if you include text, be certain it can be read from a distance.
  • Create a draft of your slide. Show it to your friends/relatives and ask them to describe what they see. Their objective responses will help you create the most effective slide to enhance your winning presentation.

Note: If you need help with your slide or presentation, request a Presentation Consultation with the librarians at the Schusterman Library http://library.tulsa.ou.edu/services/presentation-consults