Who is eligible to participate?

• All currently enrolled Masters and Doctoral students, IN ALL DISCIPLINES, at TAMUK who are participating in original research are eligible.
• 3MT presentations should focus on research students are conducting or have conducted during their current degree program, either by the student individually or as part of a research team.
• Research should be at a stage where findings, preliminary conclusions, and broader impacts can be discussed. You should not be in a proposal stage or early investigation stage.
• The competition is not limited to thesis or dissertation research. While it is normally connected to this type of research, any student participating in original research can participate.
• Students must be available to present at the Annual Meeting of the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools in Dallas Texas on March 19-21, 2025. The student who wins 1^st place will represent TAMUK at a regional 3MT competition at this conference, competing against winners from graduate schools across the Southern United States. The College of Graduate Studies will pay the travel costs for the winner to attend this conference and compete.

Rules

• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or movement, and the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Comprehension and Content

• Presentation provided clear motivation, background and significance to the research question.
• Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
• Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research.

Engagement and Communication

• The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience.
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation.
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.

Prepare your script

• Write for your audience, the general public (not a technical audience).
• Remove jargon or at least clearly explain it.
• Tell a story.
• Sell why it's important. How does your research impact society? Why should anyone care?

Prepare your slide

• Less is more! In general, the most successful competitors have had a single image on their slide.
• The slide isn't delivering your message, you are. Use the slide to emphasize a point or the main take away.

Your 3MT presentation

• Practice, practice, practice and get feedback!
• Watch example 3MT presentations – a simple Google search will produce many examples you can view.