What is 3MT®?

The idea for the 3MT®Ìýcompetition came about at a time when the state of Queensland was suffering severe drought. To conserve water, residents were encouraged to time their showers, and many people had a three minute egg timer fixedÌýto the wall in theirÌýbathroom. The then Dean of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø of QueenslandÌýGraduate School, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson, put two and two together and the idea for the 3MTÌýcompetition was born: to challenge grad studentsÌýto describe their research in under three minutes to a general audience.

The first 3MT®Ìýcompetition was held at UQ in 2008 with 160Ìýstudents competing. In 2009 and 2010 the 3MT®Ìýcompetition was promoted to other Australian and New Zealand universities and enthusiasm for the concept grew. Due to its adoption in numerous universities, aÌýmulti-national eventÌýwas developed, and the Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT®Ìýcompetition was held at UQ in 2010. Since 2011, the popularity of the competition has increased and 3MT®Ìýcompetitions are now held in over 600 universities and institutions across 59Ìýcountries worldwide.

CU Boulder's 3MT schedule is as follows:

  • Phase 1: 3MT®ÌýApplicants will participate in a throughout the fall semester to hone their three minute research pitch. These workshops include topics such as:
    • Communicating your research in three minutes
    • The art of storytelling
    • Communicating complex topics: avoiding jargon; ABT framework
    • Finding your presentation voice
    • Improv comedy techniques
  • Phase 2:ÌýAll 3MT®ÌýApplicants will be scheduled to present their 3MT®Ìýpresentation to a CampusÌýSelection Committee December. ÌýThe Committee will select 10Ìýstudents to advance to PhaseÌý3.
  • Phase 3:ÌýThe top 10 finalistsÌýwillÌýpresent their three-minute oral presentationÌýin February.ÌýA committee of judges from the university and the community will select one first-place winner and one runner-up, and the audience will vote for the people's choice winner.ÌýThe first-place winner will advance to Phase 4.
  • Phase 4: The first-place winner of the CU Boulder competition will represent the university at the competition in March.

The was first developed by the ³Ô¹ÏÍø of Queensland in 2008, and they haveÌýprepared a comprehensive set of rules and judging criteria. TheÌýcompetition will employ theseÌýsame guidelines.Ìý.

Rules

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations. or movement of any description; the slide 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.
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum, and competitors exceeding three 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 his/her presentation through movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

Presentations will be judged based on the following:

Engagement &ÌýCommunication

  • Was the oration delivered clearly?
  • WasÌýthe language used appropriate for a non-specialist audience?
  • Was the PowerPoint slide well-defined? Did it enhance the presentation?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
  • Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?

Comprehension & Content

  • Did the presentationÌýprovideÌýclear background and significance to the research question?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research?