3MT: Three Minute Thesis

Congratulations to the 3MT winners!

Online ISU Daily article: http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/article_de420908-c353-11e7-8f2a-0fb7aa01a5c8.html

Thank you to all the volunteers (3MT committee, judges, time keepers, door keepers, and food set up people) that made the Three-Minute Thesis competition possible!

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The ability to clearly and concisely articulate complex research to non-specialist audiences is a vital skill for all graduate students. Participating in the Graduate College’s 3MT competition helps students develop communication skills, allows them to share and take pride in their work, and offers the chance to compete for prizes.

What is 3MT?

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research conducted by master’s or Ph.D. students around the world. Developed by The University of Queensland, the competition cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases students' capacity to explain their research in three minutes in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props.

Eligibility

Participants must be currently enrolled in a master's or Ph.D. degree program that requires students to conduct their own research (dissertation or thesis). Participants must be available to participate in the November 6th, 2017 competition held on campus.

Prizes

Each contestant who advances to the Final Round will receive a certificate. The Grand Winner will receive a $500 cash prize, an all-expense-paid trip to the annual conference of the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS), April 4 – 6, 2018, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and be entered to participate in the Regional 3MT Competition. A $250 Honorable Mention (decided by judges) and $250 People’s Choice Award will also be awarded.

Participation Timeline

• October 4, 2017: Application deadline to be considered for the 3MT competition.
• October 9, 2017: Applicants will be notified regarding their selection for the 3MT competition.
• October 12, 2017: 6:30 p.m. Information Session. Competitors must attend one of two Information Sessions.
• October 16, 2017: 6:30 p.m. Information Session. Competitors must attend one of two Information Sessions.
• October 25, 2017: Contestants need to have the exact titles of their presentations and their slides submitted to the Graduate College.
• November 6, 2017: Heats for Final Competition and Final Competition. Time and Place: 3 – 6 p.m., Rooms 2105, 2155, and 2157 in Pearson Hall.
• April 4 – 6, 2018: Regional Competition for the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools. (Winner must be able to attend.)

Judging Criteria

Winners will be determined by a panel of judges using the official 3MT competition rubrics. Judges for the initial heats will be invited from the Iowa State University faculty and staff and the local community. Judges for the final competition will be well-known Iowa constituents.

Contact

3MT Committee:
Sarah Huffman, shuffman@iastate.edu
Katie Blair, kblair@iastate.edu
Denise Vrchota, vrchota@iastate.edu
Judy Strand, jstrand@iastate.edu