Student Research Symposium Information

The Missouri Baptist University Undergraduate and Graduate Research Symposium gives studentsthe opportunity to exhibit their work to Missouri Baptist University faculty, staff, and students. Participants will be challenged to feature an original workin a poster format or give a thorough presentation explaining their work. The symposium will take place on Wednesday, March 8.

  • Poster display: The Great Hall from 12 pm-1 pm
  • Oral presentations: The Great Hall from 12 pm-4:30 pm
  • Keynote panel: The Great Hall from 11 am-12 pm

Student applications are available at the front desk in the Academic Success Center (FLD 117/ FLD 119).

Benefits of Presenting at the Research Symposium

  • The research symposium presentation can be placed on a résumé.
  • The presentation provides a good starting point for one’s professional and/or scholarly careers.
  • Students will be able to see the purpose behind their projects and better understand how this research works in their respective fields.
  • Students can receive additional feedback from their peers and the MBU faculty about their projects.

Best Poster Display: $25

Best Oral Presentation: $25

Students have two options in this symposium (guidelines of both options are further explained below):

  1. Poster Display:Create a poster and preparea 2-minute presentation of the projectto present to any visitors at the symposium.
  2. Oral Presentation: Deliver a 10-12 minute presentation, with 3 minutes of Q&A.

Some ideas for projects include:

  • Research projects with explanation of methodology and findings OR research proposals (designed projects composed of an introduction, literature review, and methodology)
  • Science experiments
  • Capstone projects, theses, or dissertations
  • Campaigns for public relations
  • Campaigns for marketing
  • Professional portfolios
  • Community service projects
  • Poetry or fiction readings
  • Artwork
  • Theatre techniques
  • Other scholarly or research projects

Poster Guidelines

Your poster should be 40” X 32” and should not be a free-standing poster. It should be professionally done. We are limited in our easels. If you need an easel, please indicate it on the application. These easels will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. You may need to provide a stand for your poster, depending on the availability of the easels.

The poster should:

  • Contain a summary of your research project
  • Be visually appealing and academically sound
  • Attract visitors and interest them in your project

Note: Visitors to your poster should be able to read your poster in five minutes or less.

Components of your poster:

  • A title
  • Your name and the name of your collaborators (if any)
  • Your research question
  • The purpose of your research
  • An overview of your research methods
  • Your results/findings (represented with graphs, tables, charts, etc.)
  • Conclusions and discussion about your results/findings

Note: Consult what your field suggests for a poster presentation. The content varies from field to field.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: On the day of the Research Symposium viewing, be prepared with a 2-minute presentation, giving a synopsis of your research project.

Give your 2-minute presentation to any individual or group who approaches your poster.

See for guidelines

Oral Presentation Guidelines

Academic works: Describe the scope and sequence of your research and the main points of your work. For research studies or proposals, include an outline of your research methods, literature supporting your work, and the implications of your work.

Creative and non-academic works: Explain the makeup of your work and the outcomes of its completion.

Additional Guidelines for Posters and Oral Presentations

The title should grab the reader’s/listener’s attention and explain the content of the project.

The abstract should be a concise overview of your research project and should include:

  • The purpose of your research project (thesis statement or hypothesis) or the “why” behind your research.
  • Findings or main points of your project.
  • The distinctions and connections between your research project and others in your field.
  • The process with which you conducted the research (if it is a research study or research proposal).
  • An explanation of how your project furthers research in your field

What to remember about the creation of your abstract:

  • Include significant key words in the first 20 words.
  • Use active voice instead of passive voice.
  • Do not state the title again in your abstract.
  • Choose your words carefully (you only have 250 words to state the main components of your research).
  • Include a thesis statement toward the beginning of your abstract that illustrates the main claim of your research. A thesis statement is typically one sentence that defines your research.
  • Discuss key findings of your research.
  • Edit for content, organization, and grammar.

NOTE: You are required to attend one of the 30-minute workshops below OR schedule a meeting with the Writing Lab Coordinator Elizabeth Busekrus by Friday, February 24. This workshop/meeting will cover tips on creating an effective poster or oral presentation and some logistics that you need to know for your participation in the Research Symposium.

How to Create an Effective Poster:

Wed., February 15, 2:00-2:30 pm in the Perk

Thurs., February 16, 1:30-2:00 pm in the Perk

How to Create an Effective Oral Presentation:

Wed., February 15, 2:30-3:00 pm in the Perk

Thurs., February 16, 2:00-2:30 pm in the Perk

Faculty Nominations

Faculty may nominate any student with a strong research project or creative project for the Research Symposium. If a faculty member wishes to nominate a student, email the following information to :

  1. Name of the student
  2. The student’s email address
  3. A brief outline of the student’s research project

Students who are nominated will be contacted and encouraged to submit a proposal to the Research Symposium. However, students do not need a faculty nomination to send an application and participate in the Research Symposium.

Deadlines:

Wednesday, February 1:Student submissions due

Friday, February 10:Notification of decision

Wednesday, March 8:MBU Student Research Symposium

For additional information, contact:

Elizabeth Busekrus

Academic Success Center

Writing Lab Coordinator

(314) 744-7629