The Research Poster Presentation

NASA Summer Interns, 2014

Presented by:Dr. Charlotte Zeamer Student CoordinatorEducation OfficeNASA Ames Research Center

A good poster will…

Meet the conventions for the specific eventMatch the audience knowledge base and

interestsFocus your message – what is the one

thing you want people to remember?Convey your message visuallyBe readable from about 4 - 6 feet awayBe clearly organized

Before your poster session…

Prepare a brief (2-3 minute) talk about your research

Practice it!Arrive early to find your location and

put up your posterBring push pins (just in case)

Presentation time…

Don’t be a wallflower! Make eye contact and smile if people seem interested. Start talking if they look right at you or walk over.

Stay by your poster!With the consent of your mentor, make

handouts and give them out.Take everything with you when you go.

Effective Communication

Preparation

Practice

Presence

Sample Speech Outline

I. Introduction Thesis

II. Body Support arguments

III. Conclusion Review

I. Sample Poster Presentation Outline

I. GreetA. Introduce yourself; get to know them if you canB. 1-sentence overview of research

II. The Story of Your ResearchA. What made you interested in this topic?B. What question did you have?C. How did you go about finding the answer?D. What did you find? What does it mean?

III. Wrap-upA. Review – 2-sentence overview of what they just heard

Don’t

Read directly from notesRead directly from posterTurn your back on your audienceSlouch, hands in pockets, avoid

eye contactAvoid um, ah, you know’sStay still/calm (watch nervous

gestures)Talk too fast

Do

Enjoy your time talking about your research

Glance at notes/graphics if you need toAppropriate gesturesConfirmatory questions to involve

audience (remember, it’s an audience of 1 or 2, so feel free to be conversational!)

Tips for controlling the “Butterflies”…

Know the audience- greet or chat with the audience before hand. It’s easier to speak to friends than to strangers.

Know your material-increased nervousness is due to feeling unsure or unprepared.

Control the “Butterflies”

Don’t apologize! …By mentioning your nervousness or apologizing, you’ll only be calling the audience’s attention to mistakes.

Concentrate on your message-not the medium. Focus on the message you are trying to convey and not on the poster or the graphs.

Ok, time to give it a try

Use this text editor to describe your work.Use this outline to prepare your 3-minute

talkI. Greet

A. Introduce yourself; get to know them if you can

B. 1-sentence overview of research

II. The Story of Your Research

A. What made you interested in this topic?

B. What question did you have?

C. How did you go about finding the answer?

D. What did you find? What does it mean?

III. Wrap-up

A.Review – 2-sentence overview of what they just heard

Practice with the person next to you Can you do it in 3 minutes?

Any questions?

You’ll do great!Break a leg!Research is fun!Talking about it is (maybe more) fun!Ask your mentor, too, if they have

any tips.