2017 Student Research Showcase
An online science communication competition
Can you explain your research to a broad audience? Join undergraduate, graduate, and high school students April 3–10, 2017, as they compete for awards in recognition of outstanding virtual research presentations. The Student Research Showcase is a unique opportunity for students to develop effective science communication skills, which every researcher should have. Those who are able to communicate the value of their research to a broader audience are at an advantage in terms of building financial and social support for their work. The online competition is open to most research disciplines in the United States and worldwide. Participants submit websites containing three main components: a research abstract, a technical slideshow, and a video. The video component challenges participants to present their research to a general audience. During the judging period, more than sixty Sigma Xi members volunteer as judges to evaluate students’ submissions and engage in digital conversations with presenters through their websites.
Registration fees:
Sigma Xi Members, Affiliates, and Explorers: $35
Non-Sigma Xi Members: $50
#SigmaXiSRS
2017 Competition Timeline
December 9: Registration opens and project approval begins.Submit an abstract of your project by email with the subject line Student Showcase Project Description.
February 22: Project approval and registration deadline 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
March 22: Presentation submission deadline 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
March 27-31: Verification of student presentation websites
March 31: Publication of student presentations to Showcase competition website
April 3: Judging begins, including discussion period between students and judges
April 10: Judging concludes at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
April 14: Student award winners announced
April 28: Feedback from judges sent to all presenting students
2017 Presentation Websites
Awards
Monetary awards of up to US $500 are to given to the top Graduate, Undergraduate and High School winners within each category. The winner of the People’s Choice Award is selected based on a public vote and receives a $250 monetary award. Awards are partly based on the total number of registrants per category and differ year to year. All student presenters will receive a certificate of participation.
Volunteer as a Judge
Qualified Sigma Xi members, career researchers with an advanced degree, and science communicators are encouraged to sign up to judge Sigma Xi’s Student Research Showcase. Judges evaluate up to 10 presentation websites, interact with presenters by leaving comments, and provide feedback. Judging takes place April 3–10 so you can fit the evaluations in as your schedule permits.
Sigma Xi members can volunteer to be a competition judge using this online form.
Guidelines for Judges
Click here to download the SRS Judging Manual for more information and judging criteria.
Help Promote the Showcase
Download and use this flyer.
Tips for the 2017 Student Research Showcase
Two of the top presenters of 2015, Luka Negoita and Weelic Chong, share their advice and experience in a series of videos.
2016 Results
Congratulations to the division and section winners of the 2016 Student Research Showcase! See the 2016 results.