The upcoming CMaT retreat in September 2020 will feature a 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, in which contestants will demonstrate their ability to present their CMaT research in a non-technical manner.

Who

It will be open to all trainees including REUs, REMs, undergraduates, graduates, and post-docs. Graduate students and post-docs will compete in one track and all others will compete in a second track. We will require that all CMaT core projects have at least one graduate track representative (although more can compete as desired). Trainees from affiliated projects are highly encouraged to apply. Interested contestants may sign up here.

What

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. At the competition, the contestants will give a presentation on their CMaT-related research in a non-technical manner in 3 minutes and with the aid of one slide (no animations). Contestants will be judged on their poise, professionalism, clarity, and ability to convey complex ideas in a concise manner. The winner, runner-up, and a people's choice contestant will be given $500, $250, and $100 in travel grants for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each track respectively.

Where

This year's 3MT will be conducted virtually for both preliminary and final rounds. Please see the retreat agenda for the event links.

When

The two preliminary rounds were held on September 8th and 10th, 2020. The final event will be held at the CMaT retreat on September 30, 2020. Two 3MT Communication Workshops were offered to all CMaT trainees on August 24th and August 28th. The workshops were hosted by Dr. David Lawrence from Georgia Tech Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and Lisa Marvel Johnson from Unviersity of Wisonsin-Madison Writing Center.

Why

Because prize money, presentation experience, and more bling for your resume/CV. Also, participants will be able to attend official 3MT-related workshops in preparation for future 3MT competitions at their home institutions.

A list of benefits of participating in 3MT include:

• Enhance the ability to communicate your own research 
• Learn how to frame your thesis topic 
• Generate an easy-to-understand statement for scholarships 
• Network with the larger research community 
• Strengthen your presentation and public speaking skills
• Develop your “elevator pitch” 
• Build your CV/Resume 
• Obtain recognition and travel grant awards 

Congratulations to the following CMaT Trainees for advancing to the 3MT Finals