Mountain Lion Grad Slam

• Current Active UCCS Graduate Student (master or doctoral level); Fall graduates in the same academic year are eligible to participate.
• Presenting work completed while a UCCS Graduate Student (e.g., capstone project, thesis or dissertation, other professional research project).
• Only one presenter is allowed. If presenting collaborative work, must have the permission of all collaborators to present.
• Students may only present one project.
• A project may only be presented by one student.
• If you competed in a past 3MT competition at UCCS, you can compete again. However, if you made it to the final round, you need a new project to participate again.

• This event follows the national 3MT standards from the University of Queensland
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations, or 'movement' of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented at the beginning of the oration. The FINAL slide is due to grad3mt@uccs.edu by Friday, January 24th, 2025, at midnight MST. If you would like feedback on your slide, please email us by noon MST on Tuesday, January 21st, 2025. Please review the PowerPoint Slide Template andTips for Success Document. Presentations that do not follow the guidelines will not be accepted and the presenter will be disqualified.
• You cannot modify your PowerPoint slide between rounds nor after submission for the competition.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) is permitted. 
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified. A time clock will be made visible for contestants to monitor.
• Wear business casual attire (no hats, costumes, etc.)
• Contestants must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the competition for check-in and must stay for the entire competition to reduce distraction. Leaving after your presentation is not allowed. 
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs).
• Presentations are to commence from the stage. 
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decision of the judging panel is final.

Participation in the UCCS Mountain Lion Grad Slam 3MT® competition develops presentation and research communication skills while honing graduate students' ability to effectively explain the breadth and significance of their research to a non-specialist audience. The ability to clearly and concisely articulate complex research to non-specialist audiences is a vital skill for all graduate students.

Participating in the 3MT helps students develop communication skills and allows them to share and take pride in their work.

Not to mention these prizes:

1^st place wins: $750

2^nd place wins: $500

People's choice wins: $250

First place will also get an opportunity to compete in the regional finals in March 2025 in Denver. If the first-place winner is unable to attend, the second-place winner will be offered this opportunity.

Training will be offered by the Excel Communication Center. More information will be emailed to registered participants.

Watch winning 3MT presentations from around the world Top Ten Tips for Writing and Delivering Very Brief Speeches by Bill Cole TED Talks: Approximately 3-minute talks on "ideas worth spreading" 10 Most Common Rookie Mistakes in Public Speaking by Terry Gault How to win at academic presentations: top tips on what to say and how to say it