3MT: Three Minute Thesis

Graduate College 3MT Competition

Click here to submit an application for the 3MT Competition

Participation Timeline

• September 24, 2018: Application deadline to be considered for the 3MT competition.
• October 4, 2018: Applicants will be notified regarding their selection for the 3MT competition.
• October 8, 2018, 6:00 p.m. at 2105 Pearson: Information Session. Competitors must attend one of two Information Sessions.
• October 9, 2018, 6:00 p.m. at 2105 Pearson: Information Session. Competitors must attend one of two Information Sessions.
• October 18, 2018: Contestants need to have the exact titles of their presentations and their slides submitted to the Graduate College.
• October 23, 2018, 2:10 - 5:00 p.m.: Preliminary Heats. Rooms to be announced.
• November 5, 2018, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at 2157 Pearson: Final Competition
• March 20 - 22, 2019: Regional Competition for the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools. (Winner must be able to attend.)

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?

Click here to toggle more information

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

Click here to toggle more information

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 5th, 2018 competition held on campus.

Prizes

Click here to toggle more information

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), March 20 - 22, 2018, in St. Louis, Missouri, 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.

Judging Criteria

Click here to toggle more information

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.

Comprehension & 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?
• Were 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 the presentation, or was the presentation rushed? Did (s)he elaborate for too long on one aspect of the presentation?

Engagement & Communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Did the presenter work to emphasize the significance and application of his/her research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for his/her research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain his/her audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range? Did the speaker maintain a steady pace and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide support the verbal message of the speaker and add clarity and impact to his/her words?

Contact

3MT Committee (3mtcompetition@iastate.edu):
Sarah Huffman
Katie Blair
Denise Vrchota
Judy Strand

2017 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!