Kansas State University

Heat 1

Heat 2

Heat 3

Heat 4

Eligibility

• Must be enrolled in a masters or doctoral program at Kansas State University for the Spring 2018 semester.
• A student’s program of study must contain an original research project. The degree program need not formally require a thesis or dissertation, however the 3MT® presentation topic must cover the original research project. 
• Students are not required to have reached a particular point in their research, but those who are at least halfway through their program are likely to be more competitive.
• Graduate students must receive approval from their major professor prior to registering for the competition.
• The first place winners from previous competitions are not eligible to compete this year; the second place and people's choice award winners are eligible to participate again this year.

Rules and Requirements

• Present a compelling oration of your original research topic and its significance using language appropriate to a non-specialist audience
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps or songs)
• Time limit: 3 minutes. Competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified
• Prepare a single, static PowerPoint slide that represents the purpose and importance of your original research; no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any type are allowed; the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration
• Props, sounds, and other materials may NOT be included in the presentation
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech
• The decision of the judging panel is final

Slide Submission: Upon completing registration, you will be provided a link to a Slide Submission Form. You must submit your PowerPoint slide by 5:00pm on February 9, 2018. Slides WILL NOT be accepted after this deadline. If you do not submit your slide by the deadline, you will be withdrawn from the competition. 

Below are some resources we encourage presenters to use as they prepare for their 3MT® presentation.

• Presenters are strongly encouraged to view videos of K-State's previous 3MT® winners (bottom of this page) and videos of 3MT® winners from around the world for examples of successful 3MT® presentations.
• Your Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Presentation for Presenting on What You Do as a Graduate Student and How it Matters by Brad Rickelman, Meridian Technology Center for Business Development (video presentation)
• Making the Most of Your Three Minutes by Simon Clews, University of Melbourne (PDF document)
• Communicating Science: An Introductory Communication Guide for Conveying Scientific Information to Academic and Public Audiences
• The David Attenborough Style of Scientific Presentation - This document is designed for preparing a presentation longer than three minutes, but many of the principles are applicable to a three-minute presentation.

Presentations will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Comprehension and Content

• 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?
• 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 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?

Engagement and Communication

• 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 enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

Note that the common theme among the judging criteria is the impact of the presentation on the audience.

The following will be awarded to the top presenters in the final competition on February 27:

• 1st place - $500 scholarship, serve as K-State’s representative at the MAGS 3MT® competition
• 2nd place - $250 scholarship
• People’s choice - $125 scholarship

The presentation that receives the most votes from the audience will be selected as the people's choice award winner. The people's choice award winner may also be selected by the judges as their first or second place winner. 

2018 Winners

2017 Winners

2016 Winners

Sponsorship: The Kansas State University Three Minute Thesis Competition is sponsored by the Graduate School and the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Questions about the Kansas State University Graduate School’s 3MT® competition may be directed to Megan Miller, Student Success Coordinator, mmmiller@ksu.edu or 785-532-6191.