Attend Showcase Day
Showcase Day is an excellent opportunity to engage with your peers and learn about the exceptional work happening across campus. We encourage you to consider presenting.
Even if you're not presenting, you can be involved in Showcase. All students are invited to attend, whether to complete a class assignment, support their friends who are presenting and volunteer.
Most students will have class assignments that involve attending certain Showcase events and completing assignments that connect class concepts with the presentations.
The Minerva Center for High Impact Learning offers guidance on reading a research poster and interacting with its author(s).
Student Testimonials
“When I think back to my experience participating in last year's Showcase, I get an overwhelming sense of pride. It was a day where I was finally able to share the things that I typically geek out about in private with peers and professionals who had a genuine interest in my research, while overcoming my own personal fears associated with public speaking.” — Undergraduate student
"Immersed in diverse historical projects and engaging with fellow scholars, I gained profound insights into various historical perspectives. Witnessing the depth of creativity and dedication among participants, I truly enjoyed the event. The collaborative atmosphere and thought-provoking discussions would be one of the most valuable things you can expect." — Graduate student
Present at Showcase Day
Showcase Day is a University-wide event designed to highlight student excellence. It will be formatted similarly to a department symposium or school/college research showcase.
Graduate and undergraduate students will have several options to present their work, including:
- Poster presentations
- Panel or oral presentations
- Lab or other research demonstrations
- Creative exhibitions or performances
Students who are working with a faculty member on a project — as part of a class, lab group, research or creative team, or in a department-sponsored event — are eligible to present individually or in a group.
Presentations will represent the culmination of extended research or creative effort.
presentations
Step 1: Find a Faculty Sponsor
You can ask your academic department or a faculty member to sponsor your presentation.
Step 2: Submit an Abstract
You’ll use the Abstract Submission Portal to provide:
- Basic information about yourself
- A title and abstract of your project
- The name of the faculty member who will review your abstract
- Other optional information about your work
The Abstract Submission Portal will open in early Spring 2025. Please check back for specific dates and deadlines, which will also be communicated to students via email.
Abstracts will be included in the digital Showcase Day program.
What is an abstract?
An abstract is a 150-to-250-word paragraph that provides a concise summary of your project or presentation.
The two most common abstract types are descriptive abstracts and informative abstracts:
- A descriptive abstract is used for humanities and social sciences. It describes the major points of the project, including the background and focus. It does not include methods, results or conclusions.
- An informative abstract is used for science and engineering. It includes the essential points of the project, summarizing the background, purpose, focus, methods, results and findings/conclusions.
Need help with your abstract?
- Make an appointment with the Writing Center.
- The Minerva Center for High Impact Learning has tips for writing an abstract.
Step 3: Design & Print Your Poster for Free
If you’re selected to present, you’ll receive instructions via email to print your research poster for free on campus, if applicable.
Please check back for instructions and deadlines, which will also be communicated to students via email.
Posters should be 48 inches wide by 36 inches tall. You can use these sample poster templates to create your poster. (To download the templates, select “File,” then “Save As” and then “Download a Copy.”)
The Minerva Center for High Impact Learning has tips for creating research posters.
Why present? You’ll learn how to explain your research and demonstrate your achievements to a wide audience — an experience you can add to your resume.