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What is the Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®)?

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research conducted by gradaute à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã around the world. Developed by in 2008, 3MT® competitions are now held in .

The goal of the 3MT® competition is for Florida Atlantic graduate à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã from all departments and colleges to cultivate the ability to explain their research, including both breadth and significance, in a language appropriate to an audience containing both specialists and non-specialists. Graduate à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã must present their research in 3 minutes and are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props.

The 3MT® competition provides Florida Atlantic graduate à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã with the opportunity to sharpen their professional development skills, reignite their passion for discovery, promote preeminent research, and foster community. Florida Atlantic 3MT® is a venue for graduate à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã from various disciplines to interact with one another and discuss their research and its implications. The competition provides an opportunity for undergraduates, alumni, industry partners, various on-campus departments/institutions and the community to gain exposure to high-level, cutting-edge research being performed at Florida Atlantic University.

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 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.

Judging Criteria

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

Scoring

  • Scoring is the same for Preliminary Rounds and the Championship. The First Place, Runner-Up, Second Runner-Up, and People's Choice winners from each Heat win scholarship prizes and advance to the Championship.

First Place, Runner-up, Second Runner-up à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã

  • A panel of esteemed judges (faculty, administrators, and Florida Atlantic community members) determine the First Place, Runner-up, and Second Runner-up winners.
  • The number of judges on each judging panel may vary, however, it is the Graduate College's priority to ensure fair competition by carefully selecting each judging panel.
  • Judges give competitors scores for two categories (detailed above). Scores are tallied for each competitor.
  • Competitors with the top three scores are named First Place, Runner-up, and Second Runner-up.

People's Choice à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã

  • Audience members determine People's Choice winners.
  • The competitor with the most audience votes is the People's Choice winner.
  • Please note: the People's Choice winner may also win First Place, Runner-Up, or Second-Runner-Up.