Elevator Speech Competition & Poster Session

Elevator Speech Competition 

• Date: Wednesday, August 9, 2023
• Location: Zoom (link shared to all SE students)
  • 11-11:30 a.m.: Elevator speech competition
    
  • 11:30 - 11:45 a.m.: Intermission: Elevator speech judging (Best Speech Award) and Audience voting (People's Choice Award)
  • 11:45 a.m. - Noon: Announcement of elevator speech winners & closing remarks

Summer Experience Poster Exhibition 

• Date: Thursday,  August 10, 2023
• Location: MD Anderson, Dan L. Duncan Building (Cancer Prevention Building-CPB), 1155 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, CPB 8th Floor, Rooms 1-8
  • Participating programs (Times and groups are subject to change):
  • 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.                                
    • Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)
    • University Outreach Summer Program
    • First-Year Medical Students Program
    • Summer Imaging Research Program (SIRP)
    • High School Summer Program
    • CPRTP Summer Research Experience
    • ITERT Undergraduate Summer Research Training Program
    • Summer Program in Cancer Research
  • 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
    • Partnership for Careers in Cancer Science and Medicine (PCCSM)

2023 Timeline

Publishing in OpenWorks

The following abstract and poster submission instructions are only for digital publishing, not the poster session or any contest.

• The abstracts and posters for all MD Anderson Summer Experience interns, regardless of appointment location, will be published in MD Anderson OpenWorks https://openworks.mdanderson.org/summerexperience/, an online repository for scholarship, including posters and abstracts.  
• Open Works publishing assigns each abstract and poster a unique url DOI (Data Object Identifier) that can be used on CVs, Resumes, professional websites (e.g., LinkedIn), and other digital media platforms, making it easy to share your summer work with others.  

Abstract Submission

• Deadline: Enter abstract details using the form at (link will be posted by July 1, 2023) by Friday, August 4, 2023, 5 p.m. CDT. No file upload required. 
• Abstracts for MD Anderson Summer Experience students are featured in the OpenWorks digital collection. This online 'book of abstracts' is a way to showcase the amazing cancer research conducted by SE interns and can be cited indefinitely and include a link to the abstract on their CV/Resume, social media, or other digital spaces.
  
• All authors must be listed. Each author must include institution affiliation. 
  
• Word limit: 400 words or less
  
• Keyword limit: Less than 5
• Required sub-headings:
  • Background
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Conclusion

Poster Submission

• Deadline: Upload the poster to (link will be posted by July 1, 2023) by Monday, August 7, 2023, 5 p.m. CDT.
• To create your poster:
  1. Select one (1) MD Anderson Poster Title Banner which includes approved institutional branding colors and logo.
  2. Design the remainder of your poster using the MD Anderson Standard Poster Template #1 or Expanded Poster Template #2.
• Must be saved and uploaded as an Adobe .pdf file. 
  
• Poster font must be Arial or Times New Roman. 
• Must be uploaded as an Adobe .pdf file. 
• Background color must be white. 
• There are no other requirements for the body of the poster. 
• See Poster and Elevator Speech resources at the top of this web page for actual posters submitted by MD Anderson students.  

Criteria

• Any summer student appointed to one of the MD Anderson Summer Experience participating programs is eligible to register and audition for the Elevator Speech (ES) competition.   
• Previous winners are ineligible to compete. 

Elevator Speech competition:

• Selected finalists will compete live at 11 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 on Zoom.
  
• The focus of the elevator speech is on communicating the significance of your work, rather than on reporting specific conclusive results.
• Instructional workshops for creating elevator speeches will be offered (see Schedule: Timeline & Order of Events).
• Cash prizes will be awarded for Best Speech and People's Choice.

1. Commit to compete. Register between 8 a.m. CDT, Fri., June 30 and 11:59 p.m. CDT, Wed., July 26. All registrants will receive an invitation to upload their 90-second audition video to a Google drive folder. 
2. Attend the free optional workshops. Learn to create effective elevator speeches. Prepare questions in advance after reading workshop materials from our Google Drive folder. See Deadlines and Order of Events.
3. Create your 90-second audition video using your tablet, laptop, camcorder, computer or smartphone. This is only a preliminary Elevator Speech. Acceptable video file formats are: 3g2, 3gp, avi, m2v, m4v, mov, mp4, mpeg, mpg and wmv. In this video, tell us about yourself and your summer research project. Be as creative and innovative as you wish. Video filename format: LastName,FirstName_ES.xxx. Example: Doe,Jane_ES.mp4
4. Upload your audition video to our Google Drive folder by 11:59 p.m. CDT, Sun., July 30. 
5. Find out if you're a finalist. Finalists will be notified via email by 5 p.m. CDT, Mon., Aug. 7. 
6. Rehearse your speech, 3-4 p.m. CDT, Tues., Aug. 8 with other finalists. Be prepared to give and receive constructive feedback. 
7. Speak to compete live on Zoom at 11 a.m. CDT on Wed., Aug. 9 for cash prizes: Best Speech and People's Choice.

1. Content

·      Contains brief introduction and context, research question, purpose, methods and results, significance, possible next steps.

·      Avoids excessive jargon and technical detail; focuses on value and significance of work

·      Content is explained well enough that any educated lay person could get the gist of it.

2. Delivery

·         Expresses enthusiasm

·         Uses appropriate gestures, props, etc.

·         Speaks loudly and clearly

·         Well-polished but not mechanical; does not read (occasional glance at notes is okay)

·         Does not exceed time limit (90 seconds)

3. Overall Impact and Appeal

·         Creativity

·         Persuasiveness

·         Human appeal

Elevator Speech Competition Questions

What should be the topic of my Elevator Speech?

Your summer cancer research project. Please discuss presentation topics with your mentor.  

I am unable to attend the ES workshops, will the workshops be recorded?

Yes. Videos from previous workshops are saved in our google drive folder. 

Can I register for the competition if I don't attend a workshop?

Yes. Workshop attendance is optional, but recommended.

I am a high school intern, but I'm not in an SE program, can I enter the competition?

Only MD Anderson Summer Experience students are eligible to register and compete. 

What if my summer cancer research project is not finished?

Final results are not necessary. Report only your findings.

Can my parents attend the virtual ES competition?

Yes. Forward the Zoom link to all interested parties. 

Can the same person win both cash prizes?

Yes. 

I registered for the ES competition, but I no longer wish to compete. What should I do?

Students who register for the competition are not obligated to upload an audition video. Registration signals our office that you are interested. If you decide not to enter the competition, do not upload an audition video. Notification is not necessary.

Should I let my mentor know I am entering the competition?

Yes. Communicate with your program, mentor, supervisor, and research team and keep them informed about your progress and whether you are selected as a finalists. Forward the calendar invitaiton to your department.

What attire is required for the ES competition?

Please dress professionally (as if you were going on a job interview). Some options are suit jackets, ties, blouses, button-up shirts, and dresses. 

May I invite my family and friends to attend?

Yes. All SE students will receive an Outlook calendar invitation to the ES competition and may share the link with family and friends. 

I am unable to attend both ES workshops. Will someone send me workshop materials?

No. It is the student's responsibility to visit our Google drive folder at https://bit.ly/ElevatorSpeechMaterials to download handouts, presentation slides, and view recorded videos. 

My SE program is having a final oral presentation event for our division. I was told that we will have to give an Elevator Speech for this event. Do I need to attend the ES workshop (I don't plan to enter the ES competition)?

The ES workshops are open to all (e.g., faculty, staff, interns, volunteers). Some participating Summer Experience programs may host oral presentation events for their students. Your program will determine the final presentation training and requirements. Consult your program manager for more information regarding your required final presentations. 

Why do I need to change the filename for my Elevator Speech audition video?

We need to know who the video belongs to. Simply rename the video filename using the format: LastName,FirstName_ES.xxx . Example: Doe,Jane_ES.mp4. Files without the appropriate file name format will be disqualified. 

May I use props in the Elevator Speech audition video or during the live competition, if I am a finalist?

Yes.

What are the prize amounts for the Elevator Speech competition?

The prize amounts will be publicized after July 15. Cash awards will be sent via U.S. mail (for remote students) or direct deposit (for on-campus students) usually within 14 calendar days of the event.

Who reviews and scores the audition videos? 

Audition videos are reviewed and scored by a preliminary committee of Summer Experience alumni, MD Anderson postdoctoral fellows, GSBS (MD Anderson graduate school of biomedical sciences) fellows, and other staff members. The audition video judges differ from the competition judges. 

Who determines the ES winners?

A panel of judges will select the 'Best Speech Award' and the audience will participate in an electronic poll to select the 'People's Choice Award'.

How should I practice my ES?

Record yourself; practice with family and friends. Ideally, your speech should be understood by anyone, regardless of education or research background. 

Will I receive feedback on my ES audition video?

No.

Who will be invited to the Elevator Speech Competition?

All SE programs are invited to the ES competition. Individual programs should forward the announcement/invitation to the mentors and support staff of their students. If you plan to enter the competition, it is your responsibility to inform your program, department, mentor, and colleagues. You may also forward the Zoom link/calendar invitation to your family or friends. Please do not post MDA Zoom links on social media or any websites. 

Can a student win both Best Speech & People's Choice awards?

Yes.

Will I receive an email if I am not selected as a finalist?

Yes. A status email will be sent by 5 p.m. CDT, Monday, August 7, 2023 to all students who submitted an audition video by 

I am an ES finalist, may I submit a recorded video for the live competition?

No. ES finalists will compete live on Zoom. 

Abstract and Poster Questions

I'm confused. Why do I have to upload an abstract and poster? Is there a abstract and poster contest?

Uploading the abstract and posters will allow your work to receive a url link to share on your resume, social media, and other digital platforms.  Each participating Summer Experience program will receive funding from MD Anderson to host an independent poster competition to award prizes to the best posters. Contact your program for details. 

I need more time to work on my abstract and poster, can the deadline be extended?

No. Please plan accordingly and submit the abstract and poster by 5 p.m. CDT of the deadline provided. 

My summer project is not complete. What should I do?

The abstract, poster or Elevator Speech does not require conclusive or complete results. Report your findings and future research objectives.

Poster Session

Nancy Strange (poster session and OpenWorks publishing questions)
Program Coordinator
Education and Training
713-792-2552
NDStrange@mdanderson.org

Marites P. Melancon, Ph.D. (content questions)
Program Director, Summer Experience Program
Associate Professor, Interventional Radiology
713-794-5387
MMelancon@mdanderson.org

Chandra Bartholomeusz, Ph.D. (content questions)
Associate Director, Summer Experience Program
Associate Professor, Breast Medical Oncology
713-745-1086
CHBartho@mdanderson.org