Grad Slam is a tournament-style competition. Students initially present in the preliminary rounds. Two students from each of the preliminary rounds will be selected to move to the semi-finals. Then, the top three students from each of the semi-final heats are selected to present in the final round for the grand prizes.
All presentations must be three minutes long or less.
Students may present on original research or creative projects they are conducting for a thesis, dissertation, or any other project.. The project can focus on the development of new ideas, methods, or products, or it may focus on the application and revision of current methods or models. Student artists should focus on how their creative work applies to the broader exchange of ideas and the role the creative work plays in providing new perspective or in shaping attitudes.
Presentations are to be spoken and should include visual aids.
Presentations are required to have at least one slide or visual aid. Slides must be in PowerPoint or PDF formats. There is no limit to the number of slides. Animations are allowed.
No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
Audio and video are permissible, but judging emphasis will be on the presentation.
Presentations commence from the moment participants begin to speak or gesture.
The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Previous 1st Place Winners of Grad Slam may not compete in subsequent Grad Slam competitions.
Prominent members of the University and Tucson community serve as judges. Presenters are evaluated on their ability to convey in a compelling fashion the value of their research or creative work to a non-specialist audience within the 3-minute time limit.