Light from projector

Three minutes and one slide to make an impression.

Selected entries will compete during Graduate Student Appreciation Week for $2,000 in cash prizes and a chance to represent Beaver Nation at the statewide 3MT competition.

Enter by April 12 April 16, 2017

Live event: 5:15-7 p.m., May 4, 2017, LaSells Stewart Center, right after the Grad Showcase.

Finalists and video

See all of the events of Grad Appreciation Week '17

 
First place
Brad Pitcher, College of Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Geology
$1,000

 
Second place
Elizabeth M. Collar, Graduate School, Comparative Health Sciences
$500

 
People's choice
Melissa McDougall, Public Health and Human Sciences, Nutrition and Aging Sciences
$500

Finalists (Follow links to watch video)

  1. ECONOMICS OF MARIJUANA: IMPACT OF TAXES ON MARIJUANA’S PRICES IN OREGON. Muhammad Salar Khan, College of Liberal Arts, Public Policy.
  2. THE KEY TO MAKING GREAT MEAD: HAPPY YEAST. Jack Twilley, College of Agricultural Sciences, Food Science & Technology.
  3. JUST GOING WITH THE FLOW: CONNECTING MARINE RESERVES AND FISHERIES. Alexandra M. Avila, College of Agricultural Sciences, Fisheries Science.
  4. WHAT LIES BELOW: DEEPER IMPLICATIONS FOR TRANSBOUNDARY AQUIFERS. Christina Welch, Graduate School, Water Resources Policy & Management.
  5. VOLCANO FORENSICS: USING PAST ERUPTIONS TO PREDICT FUTURE DISASTERS. Brad Pitcher, College of Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Geology.
  6. 3rd CARPAL BONE FRACTURES: CAN WE PREVENT RACEHORSE BREAKDOWNS? Elizabeth M. Collar, Graduate School, Comparative Health Sciences.
  7. BUILDING BETTER BRAINS FOR BABY AND BEYOND. Melissa McDougall, Public Health and Human Sciences, Nutrition and Aging Sciences
  8. FROM X-RAY FLUORESCENCE (XRF) TO DURABLE CONCRETE. Marisol Tsui Chang, College of Engineering, Civil Engineering.
  9. A RECIPE FOR FLOODING. Katy Serafin, College of Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences.
  10. VIABILITY OF HYBRID CLT. Vahid Mahdavifar, College Of Forestry, Wood Science.

Three Minute Thesis 3MT competition founded by the University of Queensland

Important Dates

Mar
16
2017

Information and Inspiration Session

Come and learn the rules and requirements for the 3MT. Learn how to make a winning presentation with Francisco Guerrero, OSU’s 2015 3MT first place winner, will also share his LaRGe communication model: making your presentations Likable, Reliable, and Gettable. Learn more.
Where: MU 206
Time: 3-4 p.m.

Apr
12
2017

Deadline for Entries

Submit your video recorded entry and Powerpoint slide to enter the competition. Extended to April 16.

Apr
21
2017

Finalists announced

People moving on to the final competition will be notified by this date so they can prepare for their talks.

Apr
28
2017

Practice Session

Finalists are invited to practice their talks. The public is invited to provide feedback
Where: MU 206
Time: 3-4 p.m.

May
4
2017

Final competition during Graduate Student Week

Join us during the Grad Showcase (4-5 p.m.) and stay to watch the top 10 finalists compete for the grand prize
Where: LaSells Stewart Center
Time: 5:15-7 p.m.

Learn more

Participants have three minutes to present, using no more than one static slide. A committee consisting of two graduate students, a professional communications specialist, a community member and a representative from the Graduate School select the top two presentations. Judges evaluate presentations for comprehension, engagement, and communication. The audience picks the People's Choice winner. 

These three individuals will also compete in the 3MT State Championships on May 20 at the University of Oregon.

See examples and get resources »

Read the rules and judging criteria »

If you want a place to host your video entry try using OSU's media website. Log in to that website, and you can upload your video recording there. You can also create a webcam recording right from the site. Make sure to mark your video as unlisted and get the URL of the video for the entry form.

Judges

  • Dr. José Reyes, NuScale
  • Sara Gelser, Oregon State Senator
  • Francisco Guerro-Bolano, 2015 3MT winner
  • You! (attendees vote for the People's Choice Award)

Examples and Resources

3MT finalist at Oregon State University in 2016

Winning the 3MT requires a connection with the audience and judges. One way to do this is by thinking about your project as a narrative, with a beginning, rising action, climax, and resolution. Classic storytelling techniques, combined with an attractive graphic or image, could put you on top this year. Remember, you will be presenting to a non-specialist audience, not at a technical conference.

Want to learn more? Join us on March 16 for an informational session that will include tips from past 3MT participants.

Here are some websites and examples to get your inspired.

Past winners

OSU 2016 winner Andrew Brereton

Rules and Judging Criteria

Vintage chairs

Rules

  • Participation is open to any enrolled graduate student who is nearing the completion of their degree. Any scholarly work conducted for a thesis, dissertation or final project is acceptable for presentation. Graduates are not eligible.
  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any kind allowed. The slide is shown 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.
  • 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 to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation by advancing from the title slide to the presentation slide.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

At every level of the competition, each competitor will be assessed on the three judging criteria listed below.  Please note that each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.

Comprehension

  • Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
  • Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?

Engagement

  • Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
  • Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
  • Did the presenter convey the enthusiasm for their research?
  • Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?

Communication

  • Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
  • Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
  • Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
  • Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?
  • Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

Three Minute Thesis
Graduate School at Oregon State University
gradstudentsuccess@oregonstate.edu

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by April 5, 2017 to Karen Hanson, 541-737-1464.