The Scholars Day 3Minutes to Share Competition is modeled on the 3Minutes Thesis (3MT) competition of the Toulouse Graduate School. In this virtual adaptation of the 3MT, undergraduate students at UNT create an engaging three minute video to present their research. With just one PowerPoint slide, students must present their methodologies, research, and the significance of their research to a general audience. The 3Minutes to Share competition stresses the holistic development of students, relative of communication skills and research engagement.

All UNT students are encouraged to participate and do not need to be members of the Honors College.

Financial Award

Students who receive, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the 3Minutes to Share Competition will receive a financial award. 1st Place receives $450, 2nd Place receives $350, and 3rd Place receives $250. 

Competition Rules

  • Videos must be submitted as .avi, .mov or .mp4 files to upload to the application.
  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted.
    • The single slide must appear continuously throughout the oration.
    • No slide transitions or animations are allowed.
    • The slide should not take up the entirety of the video frame or be used as the full background for the video.
    • Participants may choose not to use a slide.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted, unless students are illustrating research in the areas of music or theater.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum. Presentations exceeding 3 minutes will not be considered.
  • Presentations are to be spoken-word (e.g no poems or songs), unless one's research has been in creative writing or music.
  • Presentations in creative writing or music may include brief artistic insertion (of poetry, narrative, or song) that may serve to illustrate the research topic.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when students start their presentation through either movement or speech.

Participation Guide

3Minutes to Share participants should be attentive to both the content and delivery of their presentation. All applicants are encouraged to view this video of a winning 3Minutes to Share presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbqMflekZtw. Additionally, participants may like to consider some of the following suggestions.

  • Most of the information within the presentation should be conveyed primarily through engaging and even entertaining speech.
  • Any use of a single slide should be simple and strategic. Information on the slide should be concise and easy to read.
  • The presenter’s speech should be clear and well-paced.
  • Participants are discouraged from creating a Zoom-style recording simply showing their face in front of a digital background.
  • Participants should format and deliver their speech as if it were a live presentation in a professional setting.

Judging Criteria

A panel of judges selected by Dr. James Duban, the Associate Dean for Research and National Scholarships for TAMS and the Honors College at UNT will assess submissions based on the following factors from the Toulouse Graduate School 3MT Contestant Information. The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Comprehension and Content

  • Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question while explaining the terminology and avoiding jargon?
  • Did the presentation clearly describe the impact or results of the research?
  • Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
  • Was the topic, research significance, results, and outcomes communicated in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
  • Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation?

Engagement and Communication

  • Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
  • Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their topic?
  • Did the orator have sufficient stage presence, eye contact, vocal range?
  • Did the presenter maintain a steady pace and have a confident stance?
  • Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation – was it clear, legible, and concise?

Announcement of Winners

The winners of the 3Minutes to Share competition will be announced at the Scholars Day reception on April 1st at 3:45 pm in Union 314. The winning 3Minutes to Share presentation will be played at the reception.

All presenters are invited to the poster presentations at Scholars Day on April 1st at 3:00 pm and the reception at 3:45 pm. Multiple raffles will be held starting at 3:00 pm. Raffle winners must be present to win.

URF Participants

While URF participants may choose to apply for an optional Scholars Day competition, the competitive submission alone does not fulfill the URF requirement that calls for a Scholars ay presentation application. Thus, URF participants who submit an optional competitive application must also submit an application for a Scholars Day Presentation (poster or oral presentation) by February 22nd, 2027 at 12:00 pm (noon) to fulfill the requirements of the URF.

3 Minutes to Share Application

Applications for the 3Minutes to Share Competition are due on February 22nd, 2027 at 12:00 pm (noon)

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