Graduate Student Showcase

1. What is the GradShow?
2. Am I eligible to participate?
3. What do I need to do to enter?
4. What does a Visual/Performing Arts proposal submission look like?
5. What does a Research, Scholarship, and Entrepreneurship proposal submission look like?
6. What does a scholarly poster look like?
7. What if I have never made a scholarly poster in my discipline before?
8. What are the dimensions / requirements and what are printing tips for the posters?
9. What are the main awards?
10. What other awards are there?
11. How does the judging work?
12. Who are the judges?
13. What are the judges looking for?
14. What is a 3 minute talk?
15. Where can I view my submission?
16. Will I receive feedback or my score?
17. Can I give an oral presentation of my Research, Scholarship, and Entrepreneurship work?
18. Will there be electric outlets for my work?
19. What materials are provided for my work?
20. Is there a limit to how many submissions I can enter?
21. What if I have class during the times of the GradShow?
22. Who can I direct questions to?

The GradShow is the premier interdisciplinary celebration of Colorado State University graduate student creativity, research, and entrepreneurship. This showcase offers students the opportunity to present their work and gain conference experience.

If you are currently a graduate student at CSU, you are eligible to participate! We also welcome students who plan to graduate this fall to participate. We encourage submissions that encompass all areas.

Submit a propal to GradShow@colostate.edu. You will need to identify if your work is 1.) research or entrepreneurial-based or 2.) creative work and then submit the appropriate proposal submission. Requirements for each submission type are listed below. Early submission is advised - a limited number of proposals are accepted. Please e-mail the administrators if you have any questions.

Project Title: Limit of 10 words.

Project Abstract:Please write a short (limit 250 words), clear, concise project summary that includes the following: 1.) description of the work, 2.) significance of the work 3.) how it will be displayed/disseminated, including technology you will use, 4.) how the piece fits into the broader visual/creative/performing context, and 5.) how the piece fits within your artistic/graduate profile.

Project Title: Limit of 10 words.

Project Abstract: Please write a short (limit 250 words), clear, concise abstract that contains the following: 1.) purpose, 2.) procedure/description, 3.) results/outcomes, and 4.) implications/future directions. If your project is in the beginning stages of the research process, please explain what you’ve completed thus far and what you expect your results and implications will be.

First time making a poster? Need help getting started on a poster? Need a refresher course? No problem! The NYU Library website provides information about how to make and present a poster, including templates and design recommendations. You may also download our the Blank 2023 Poster PowerPoint Template, or the Blank 2023 Poster Latex Template (please email the GradShow team if you would like to request a blank InDesign poster template.) If you are a graduate student in the College of Health and Human Sciences, please download and use the appropriate template for your department or school.

No problem! Please contact Madison Colley at GradShow@colostate.edu. If there is enough interest within your department, they can host workshops and/or consultation services!

The dimensions for the posters are either 3’x4’ or 4’x3’ depending on prefered orientation (the provided poster stands/frames will accommodate either size). Please be sure that your poster does not exceed these dimensions. The GradShow provides all the equipment (pins and clips) to hang your poster.

Tips

• Save your poster as a PDF. Send as an attachment for online orders or save to a flash drive for in store printing.
• Print early (4 to 7 days before the GradShow) so that you can have the poster ready and practice your talk.
• Printing a professional-quality color poster is costly. Take care to proofread and double-check your poster is as you wish.

Printing Advice

• Talk with Advisors: Graduate students should first check with their faculty advisor/mentor/PI for funds and recommendations on where to print posters.
• In many disciplines, the faculty advisor will pay the cost of poster printing for their students.
• Check with Units/Departments/Colleges: If your faculty advisor cannot support the printing of your poster, check with your program director, department chair, or college dean’s office recommendations on where to print and if they cover costs.

Below are program and college-specific options. You MUST be a graduate student in the following program or college to access college-specific printing resources:

• College of Agricultural Science: CAS students can access a large format plotter in the Nutrien’s Innovation Gym (Room 167). It is not for professional poster printing and is only for CAS students: https://aghelpdesk2.freshservice.com/support/catalog/items/1
• College of Liberal Arts: The CLA will pay/reimburse the costs of poster printing for CLA GradShow presenters. Submit your request here.
• Warner College of Natural Resources: Students of WCNR can print in the CAL Lab. Go to the Computer Lab Printing page for more information.
• Departments: Check with your department to identify if they have a printer for student use. The following departments and buildings have had printers that may still be available: Chemistry, Scott Biomedical Building, Gifford. Students in CNS, CVMBS, and CHHS should contact their department for printing options.

Where to Print: If your department or college does not have a poster printer for students, you will need to print using campus and commercial options.

• FastPrint: Place your order through the online portal: https://fastprint.colostate.edu/fastprint-services/ You will need to charge a department account.
• Amazon.com: Search vendors that may be able to print and deliver posters. An option is EzPosterPrints EzPosterPrints for approximately $37.
• FedEx: Place your order through the online portal: https://www.office.fedex.com/default/posters.html. You will need to pay with a debit or credit card. Cost: $69
• OfficeDepot: The store at 2216 E. Harmony can print full color posters within 1-2 business days. You will need to pay with a debit or credit card. Cost: $65
• Staples: Place your order through the online portal: https://www.staples.com/services/printing/posters/ You will need to pay with a debit or credit card. Cost: $63

Note: If you select other online printers or mail order (to have your poster mailed), plan to submit your poster order up to 7 days in advance of the GradShow.

What are the main awards?

All submitted research proposals and creative work will automatically be considered for awards in the general two areas of "Great Minds in Research" and "Distinction in Creativity," respectively. In addition, there will be awards for submissions in areas such as global impact and engineering. Many of the academic colleges also sponsor awards for their students.

When you sign up to participate, you will be asked if your proposal meets the criteria for several of the award(s), such as the Global Impact award. As noted above, all proposals will be considered for the general awards. These awards are based on your discipline so there is no need to indicate interest in being considered - you will be automatically entered for the general awards - in which your presentation qualifies - as well as either interdisciplinary graduate program or college awards. Check out the awards page for information about the general awards and review last year’s winners! Awards values are subject to change and the value may be distributed as decided upon by the Graduate Student Showcase planning committee. Early submission is advised - a limited number of proposals are accepted.

When you sign up to participate, you will be asked if your proposal meets the criteria for the Global Impact Awards offered by the Office of International Programs. In addition, you may be considered for other awards based on the applicability of your work to each area of interest. Each group sets the eligibility and judging criteria for their awards.

There are also many college-specific awards for interdisciplinary graduate programs. You will be automatically entered for your college or interdisciplinary program awards. Judging criteria varying according to the college. Check out the awards page for information about the general awards and review last year’s winners!

To be eligible for judging on the day of the GradShow, you must check in your submission prior to 9:30 A.M., regardless of the assigned presentation time. Your accepted proposal for the GradShow will have been assigned to either the "Green" or the "Gold" group. Those assigned to the Green group will be expected to be at their poster from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.; the Gold group must be present by their poster from 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Judges are aware that these are the times you will be by your submission.

Because all submissions are eligible for either the "Distinction in Creativity" or "Great Minds in Research" you will have at least two judges stop by, and possibly more. The exact number of judges will vary based on your eligibility for various awards, you may expect a minimum of two judges reviewing your poster and presentation.

Remember, judges are not required to identify themselves, so they may not always inform you that they are a judge.

Judges will consist of faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, staff, alumni, students, and community members. In the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration, judging assignments are made on a random basis. As a result, those judging your submission most likely will be from outside of your field. 

There are two primary rubrics used for all presentation types - 1.) Research and entrepreneurial 2.) Creative (Visual/Performing/Written Arts) rubric. Additionally, some presentations may be judged for select awards (as identified by the abstract) using other rubrics specific to the award itself. As an interdisciplinary event, the GradShow incorporates posters that cover a variety of topics (e.g., theory, project proposals) and areas of expertise. Any student in any area of study can submit to present. Posters are required for all presenters. To the best of your ability, the following components should be included in your poster:

Research or Entrepreneurial posters are scored based on Background/Introduction, Purpose, Design, Results/Outcomes, Conclusions, Impact, Poster Appearance/Layout, and Oral Presentation. The 3-minute talk is part of your oral presentation. Judges will likely be from outside of your field of study, so it is important that you prepare a 3-minute talk that explains your project to a lay audience. Judges may reach out with questions or comments during the judging process. Meet with your advisor to get feedback on how to improve your scholarship and how to present in an interdisciplinary environment.

Visual or Performing Arts Posters for creative presentations are scored on Concept of Work, Background, Execution, Inventiveness/Originality, and Overall Impression. Scores in these categories are based on the performance and/or the visual portfolio/photo, the poster, and the 3-minute Talk. Depending on the artistic genre, you may speak with many interested viewers (in the case of having a physical object for display) or you may perform a written, dance, or musical piece at a designated time. An informative poster that provides the work’s title, a short description, an artist profile, and other relevant visuals, texts, or QR codes/short links for visuals will be crucial for attendees to recognize your work in your absence. Include your artist’s statement and consider illustrating your artistic process in your posters. Meet with your advisor to get feedback on how to improve your scholarship and how to present in an interdisciplinary environment.

A 3-minute talk provides a non-expert listener with just enough information to understand your project’s topic and significance but not so much information to overwhelm or confuse them. This is an opportunity to explain your poster or creative artistry to your audience. Appear professional and consider consulting your advisor and mentors about best presentation methods.

Overall, you want to make sure that what you say is comprehensive with rich content about your project. Present in an engaging manner, making it interesting for the other person.

The 3-minute talk has been formalized and popularized by the University of Queensland’s 3MT (Three-Minute Thesis) competition.

Project titles are limited to 10 words and project abstracts are limited to 250 words. Presenters should submit titles ready to publish or reach out to the gradshow committee if a change is needed.

We are not able to provide individual feedback from the judges. Although we know that graduate students are often interested in what they could do to improve, the judging for the GradShow is only for the purpose of identifying award winners. We encourage you to meet with your advisor, committee members, and/or other faculty members in your program to get their feedback on your project. They are the experts on how to improve your scholarship.

No. A 3-minute talk regarding your poster presentation is required; however, there will be no talks or oral presentations in lieu of a poster presentation. All Research, Scholarship, and Entrepreneurship submissions must be presented in a poster format.

Yes, we ask that you submit one first-author entry per person.

Please direct questions to our team at GradShow@colostate.edu.