The Annual Education Symposium is hosting its second annual 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition! The 3MT is an opportunity to articulate your research in front of an audience. The challenge? You are only allowed to present in a static position, use one image or slide, and have three minutes to summarize your research. Visit this link to view an exemplary example.
About the 3MT
It is believed that to present a dissertation, one would need nearly nine hours. The 3MT presents the challenge of articulating your research in an interesting and compelling way– within 3 minutes. By participating in the 3MT, competitors are developing vital communication skills to explain their research in a succinct manner to non-specialists.
This competition is open to students in graduate and professional programs in the College of Medicine, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and any other health professions college.
There are three rounds to this competition. The opening round will be held via video submission, in front of any static image or slide. These videos are due Friday, December 20 at 11:59pm and must abide by the 3MT virtual format rules (see below). Those selected to advance to the semi-final round will be notified by early January. Competitors will deliver their talks in-person during the Annual Education Symposium on January 15, 2025 before a judging panel and a live audience that afternoon on the main stage in the forum of Hamilton Hall’s Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Center.
The grand prize winner will receive a $100 gift card or Ohio State swag at similar value, along with the recording of their presentation from AES shared on the Office of Curriculum and Scholarship website.
How to Enter
First, record yourself giving your talk. You MUST include this slide at the beginning. You are then allowed ONE slide or image to accompany your actual presentation.
Next, upload your video to this SharePoint folder by Friday, December 20, 2024 at 11:59pm with the name “YourLastName_Presentation Title.” See the rules below to ensure you are not disqualified!
Rules
- Must be filmed in a static location (no pacing the stage).
- The presentation can only be delivered by one person (no group presentations).
- The presentation should be about YOUR research.
- Recording must be one take; no editing is permitted. We recommend using Zoom to record your presentation.
- A single, static slide or image is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or “movement” of any kind are allowed. The slide or image is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
- No additional electronic media or props are permitted (e.g., sound and video files, laboratory equipment, costumes, medical instruments).
- Video must begin with the 3MT title slide (separate from your presentation image or slide). Download that title slide here.
- Presentation cannot exceed three minutes. All presentations which exceed three minutes will be disqualified.
Additional rules and regulations can be found here, and you can download the scoring rubric here.
Tips for making a successful video:
- Have a clear outcome in mind– what do you want the audience to know?
- Avoid jargon; speak to a wide audience
- Do not rely on your side; use it as a prop instead
- Tell a story– avoid rattling off facts
- Watch past exemplary examples along with our 2024 winner and use them as a model
- Review the scoring rubric
- Practice, practice, and practice
- Have fun!
Additional Resources
11 Tips for the 3-Minute Thesis Competition
10 Hints for Improving Presentations for the Three-Minute Thesis Competition
Finally, please know that video quality will not impact the score of a participant’s submission. However, this is an excellent guide to help ensure your success.
Questions?
Please contact OCS@osumc.edu with any questions. Good luck!