Rules and Judging Criteria

Competition Rules and Presentation Structure

A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any kind; the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).

• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be delivered in traditional presentation style.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.
• Each presentation will be judged using the criteria below.

Judging Criteria

• Clarity:  Did the speaker provide adequate background knowledge to make the talk and the importance of the project understandable?
• Organization: Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Language matches audience:  Was the topic and its significance communicated in a language appropriate to an interested, but non-specialist audience? (For example, did the speaker avoid or explain discipline-specific jargon?)
• Significance:  Did the presenter explain why the project mattered, addressing the impact and results of the research?
• Delivery:  How was the delivery, including pace, enthusiasm, confidence, body language, and dynamism of vocal delivery?
• Visual:  Did the slide enhance the presentation and help to emphasize the primary points of the talk?  Was the slide well designed, clear, legible and concise?
• Engagement:  To what extent did the talk speak to your intellectual curiosity?  Did it make you want to learn more about the topic?