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Undergraduate Students in Technical Research (USTR) 2006-2007

Due date 10/29/2006 11:59:00 PM

The objective of the Undergraduate Students in Technical Research (USTR) program is to encourage African Americans and other underrepresented collegiate members to participate in technical research projects that will lead to the pursuit of graduate degrees in technical fields. Initiated through a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the USTR competition allows students to gain experience delivering technical presentations. Participants display their research via a poster presentation (3 x 4-ft. display board), using a variety of graphical wall displays (maps, charts, photographs, computer outputs, etc.) and working models and/or material samples. Participants will be judged on the technical content of their displays, oral presentation skills, and a 10-minute question and answer session with judges. All regional participants are welcome to submit the complete project report for the abstract being submitted to be included in the 2007 NSBE Technical Proceedings.

GUIDELINES FOR POSTER SESSION PARTICIPANTS

WHAT IS A POSTER PRESENTATION?
A poster presentation is a technical paper presented through a variety of visual, graphical wall displays (maps, charts, photographs, computer outputs, etc.) working models and/or material samples that are prepared by the authors who will be in attendance during the display period. The displays make the presentation of certain types of information more effective, in particular, complex analytical subjects, topics involving large amounts of data and projects having special display materials. This format allows the attendees to review the information at their own pace and to discuss the materials with the authors to present a technical paper, while affording the attendees an easier format for asking questions and receiving in-depth responses. Many presenters and attendees feel more comfortable in leisurely discussion than in a condensed, formal presentation.

THE REGIONAL/NATIONAL USTR COORDINATOR WILL FURNISH THE FOLLOWING:

• A 3ft. X 4ft. display board for mounting displays. Check with USTR Coordinator for on-site pickup time and location.
• Minimal Supplies: Push pins, tape, glue stick, etc. It is highly recommended that you bring all of the necessary supplies you will need to prepare your posterboard in the comfort of your sleeping room.

POSTER PRESENTERS MUST FURNISH THE FOLLOWING:
Title and Author Banner, Diagrams, Charts, Figures, Photos/Drawings should be sized and lettered so they are legible and readable by a group of attendees at a distance of 5 feet. They should be simple, colorful, well-labeled, and neat. The research display will include information such as objectives, procedures, data, results, and conclusions. You will receive a display board. Your title/author banner or placard can be mounted on your poster board at the top, centered. You can choose to make the project title and name a part of your poster board display as well.

Hand-outs are highly recommended to be given by the presenter (you will be scored on whether or not you provided handouts.) It is recommended that the speaker not rely on posting the entire paper as this will make it difficult to read the material.

When considering the appearance of text, you can use colors and varying fonts to make information stand out.

Presentation Time Limit – 20 mins. (10 minute presentation; 10 minutes question & answer/scoring period)
Each competitor will be assigned a 20 minute time period during which a presentation will be given to a panel of judges. Please keep to your time limit and be prepared to answer questions about your abstract and presentation.

ELIGIBILITY:
Research activities at the undergraduate level including senior projects, company sponsored research programs and independent study courses all qualify for the competition. Research topics should reflect practical applications of engineering technology. All participants must be current, paid NSBE undergraduate members.

GUIDELINES:
Collegiate student members must register for the USTR program under the Scholarships & Competitions section of NSBE Online, which include abstract submission. All registrants are welcome to exhibit during the USTR competition at your Fall Regional Conference, but only SELECTED ABSTRACTS will be allowed to compete for the cash prizes. Competitors will be selected from the pool of registrants based on their abstract and fully completed uploaded report. Select students compete at the fall regional conferences for their respective region, and the top three winners from each region compete at the National Convention. Selected participants are required to register for their respective fall regional conferences to be eligible to compete. Register under the EVENTS section of your NSBE Online account.

Region 1 FRC - Buffalo, NY November 9-12, 2006
Region 4 FRC - Cinncinati, OH November 9-12, 2006

All participants will be notified to confirm application status. All regional finalists are requested to submit the complete project report for the abstract being submitted to be included in the 2006 NSBE Technical Proceedings. All official regional participants are welcomed to submit complete reports through your NSBE Online USTR application.

NATIONAL AWARDS:
First Prize: $1000
Second Prize: $500
Third Prize: $250

REGIONAL AWARDS (*Regional Awards are distributed by World HQ.):
First Prize: $200
Second Prize: $100
Third Prize: $50

The top three students from each region will receive complimentary registration to the 2005 National Convention and a limited travel/housing stipend. Winners MUST provide proof of registration and travel (receipt or itinerary) to receive stipend.

DEADLINE:   Registration, abstract and report submission by October 29, 2006       (Regions I & IV)

CONTACT:
Regional Programs Chair, National Academic Excellence Committee or World HQ Programs
naec@board.nsbe.org or www.nsbe.org