PHYS328 - Science Seminar

Requirements for Presentations

• Pre-Presentation Meeting - You must make an appointment with the instructor at least two weeks prior to your presentation. You will be graded on this meeting. What you are required to do for and prior to this meeting can be found at: http://www.lhup.edu/~jreid/328_preparation.htm
• Helpers - All students are reqiured to help with two presentations. One helper will give an overview of the physicist's personal life. The other helper will give an overview of the physicist's professional life. These will overlap and that is good. (It is useful to hear things more than once and from different perspectives.) It is the main presenter's responsibility to pick the helpers and coordinate their efforts.
• Main Presentation - The main presentation should be based on the presenter's readings. At least three books must contribute to the presentation although the focus can be from one book. The presentation can be in any format approved by the instructor at least two weeks in advance (in the pre-presentation meeting). It is common to use a camera and projector (so that photographs can be projected). Some people use power point as well.
• Questions and Discussion - The question & discussion part of the presentation is very important. Come prepared with many more questions than you plan to ask. You will be required to submit at least 10 questions to instructor two weeks prior to your presentation. It is the main presenter's job to keep the discussion going til the end of the period!! You will have to include a section in your presentation paper on the discussion and question part of the presentation. Use your helpers to get good notes for this part of the presentation. (You will be too busy to take notes.)
• Demonstrations by Instructor - For some presentations it may be appropriate to have demonstrations of physical principles done by the instructor.
• Papers - It is expected that all papers be done with appropriate format including proper references. Each helper will write a paper for each of their presentations. Each main presenter will write a paper for their presentation. Papers are due one week after the presentations.
• Length of Presentation - Each presentation will last the entire period. The following is a rough guideline for timing:
  • 15 minutes should be used by the helpers.
  • 40 minutes main presentation
  • 20 minutes questions and discussion

Helpful Hints for Presentation

• Equipment - It is the presenter's responsibility to inform the instructor of what equipment will be need for you presentions well in advance of the presentation. (At least a week.)
• Introduction - Start Presentation by breifly introducing yourself, your helpers and your topics. This should take less than one minute.
• Coordinate with helpers - It is the main presenters responsibility to coordinate efforts of the helpers. If they are not properly prepared, or talk to much or too little, they and the main presenter will help held responsible.
• Outline - Present a printed outline to the audience. Use it throughout the presentation. (Keep putting it up for display.) This will help people know where your are in your presentation and where you are going as well as what your organization is. It will also help them take notes.
• Font - Use a large font size for projection. Make sure it is large enough before your presentation.
• Photographs - Use photographs throughout your presentation. This will help you to bring to life the person about whom your are speaking. The audience will be much more receptive to your presentation.
• Handouts - I don't recommend them. Sometimes they are useful, but be careful using handouts. When people are given handouts they have a tendancy to read the handout rather than listen to the speaker.
• Eye Contact - It is important to look at your audience. They want you to talk to them not to your papers.
• Speak to Audience - Do not read directly from notes. Express ideas in your own words and talk to the audience. They do not want to hear what you have written on paper word for word. This also shows that you know and are comfortable with your topic.
• Technical Terms and Complication Ideas - Do not use technical terms without explanation. The instructor can help you with this. Again, express ideas in your own words and talk to the audience.
• Stories and Anecdotes - Pick stories and anecdotes that are useful in making a point. Ones that help tell your story. State why you have told the story.
• Quotes - It is good to include some direct quotes from your readings. These are moments when you can read directly from your notes.
• Theme - Your presentation should have a conherent theme. Rather than simply listing facts of a person's life, focus of one or more aspects of the person that show up throughout their life if you can. Often a good theme will come from the books you have read. Get help from the instructor if needed.
• Timing - Practice your talk. Know how long it will take. Be sure to leave time (20 Minutes) for a discussion session.
• Discussion and Questions - If you pose a question to the people in the room give them time to answer! You may have to wait a long time before anyone responds. People need time to think and sometimes to get up enough nerve to speak. Try re-phrasing questions sometimes, too. Try to pick questions and topics to which you think people can relate.