Poster Session Contest

 

Event Coordinator: Peter Wright

California University of Pennsylvania

wright_p@calu.edu

Evaluation Form (PDF)

 

DESCRIPTION:

The TECA “Poster Session Contest” requires students to complete research on a topic of technological significance selected annually by TECA and then to present the research in the form of an educational display called a Poster Session. Topics will be selected from broad categories such as: (1) Technologists: Raymond Loewy (Father of Industrial Design), Leonardo da Vinci, Henry Dreyfuss, (2) Inventions/Innovations: steam engine, telephone, elevator, electric generation and distribution integrated computer chip, (3) Technological Principles: structures, mechanisms, human factors, systems, or (4) Social or Environmental Impacts: public water systems, Luddites, recycling, Industrial Revolution. The intended audience for the Poster Session display will also be announced in advance. Student contestants will be required to attend a regional or national meeting, set up their Poster Session, and make a five (5) minute presentation. The Poster Session may be designed by an individual or by a two or three-person team. The contest is intended to encourage high quality research and display presentations and as such should be part of a design class or supported by the institution/program as an extra curricular activity. It is anticipated that the material developed in this contest will be of benefit to the student in student teaching or as a beginning professional.

 

PROCEDURE:

1. Topic: The topic for the following year’s contest will be announced at the TECA National Conference. The topic for the TECA Virginia Beach Regional Fall 2011 is
   “The Theory of Peak Oil Production”
2. Membership: Each team (up to three individuals) must register for the conference. Only the registered contestants are permitted to complete work on the Poster Session and make the presentation.
3. Research: Presenters/Educational Displays should show evidence that the topic has been thoroughly research by:
• utilize multiple information sources;
• correctly cite information sources used in the poster/display/documentation following the Publication Guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA);
• demonstrate a depth of understanding of the assigned topic; and
• Include documentation of the topical research conducted that underlies the content shown on the poster/display.
4. Display: A three-dimensional tabletop Poster Session display must be designed and constructed. The display must fit within a 36” wide, 24” deep and 48” high cube. The entire display including all components may not weigh over 75 pounds. A single 115 volt 15 amp electrical convenience outlet will be made available within 12 feet of the display table. Participants must provide an UL approved 15 amp extension cord. No hazardous materials may be used and all elements must adhere to applicable codes.

Design, Development, and Construction of the Educational Display

Educational Displays should:

• provide evidence that multiple approaches to the poster/display design were explored;
• work effectively as a stand-along communication system;
• show originality / creativity in its design, going beyond the stock store-bought foam-core / corrugated cardboard display format;
• depict craftsmanship in its construction; and
• be accompanied by a bill of materials with all costs shown, which is to be included in the documentation section noted above.

1. Graphic Presentation: Original copyright free graphics and images are encouraged. In the event that copyrighted material is used, the contestants must accurately and completely document the sources.

The graphic presentation should:

• communicate effectively;
• contain original student-created graphic elements The judges will primarily be evaluating the student-created elements, though “found objects,” etc.” may be incorporated into the posters/displays;
• Demonstrate understanding of fundamental graphic design principles (See, for example, Williams, R. (2003). The Non-Designer’s Design Book);
• Show originality / creativity, while adhering to the fundamentals of graphic design (live PowerPoint presentations are discouraged, unless they demonstrate unique creativity / originality); and
• Demonstrate quality/craftsmanship.

1. Oral Presentation: A five- (5) minute presentation on the topic and the Poster Session must be prepared and presented at the competition. The purpose of the presentation is to explain how the contestant(s) went about solving the problem, to elaborate on the content being presented, and to articulate the reasons for using the display format chosen. Presentation times will be listed in the conference program.

The oral presentation should:

• communicate effectively;
• reflect careful planning and prior presentation rehearsal;
• be well orchestrated (smooth hand-off from one presenter to another if more than one presenter is involved in the presentation

1. Set Up: Poster Session displays must be set up during the time allotted in the conference program and taken down at the designated time. Security will be provided for materials during the contest event.
2. Documentation: Each entry must be accompanied by documentation that shows evidence of multiple display design considerations and resources used for display content and presentation. In addition, it must include a detailed bill of materials.
3. The physical display and graphic presentation must conform to all design specifications. Contest judges, whose decisions will be final, will decide rules violations and judging penalties.
4. A lottery will be used to determine Poster Session placement and order of presentation.

 

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT:

1. The display must be designed to be self-supporting and free standing on a tabletop. A $50 limit for all materials used in the construction of the display must be observed. A bill of all materials used must be included with the documentation submitted. Within the cost limitations, the display may be constructed of any appropriate and safe material. The display must fit within a 36” wide, 24” deep and 48” high cube. No portion of the display may be outside the cube.
2. A single 115 volt 15 amp electrical convenience outlet will be made available within 12 feet of the display table. Participants must provide an UL approved 15 amp extension cord.
3. No hazardous materials may be used and all elements must adhere to applicable codes.
4. Display graphics may be generated by computer or by hand. Any digital, photographic, or mechanical imaging technique may be incorporated. Physical objects may also be included as long as they fit within the cube. Originality of materials will be considered as part of the judging. Clip art or other copyright free material may be used on the display.
5. For safe table loading, a weight limit of 75 pounds per display (includes all displayed elements) will be enforced.
6. Documentation materials must be word-processed or desktop published.
7. Any serious safety violation will be grounds for immediate disqualification of the display.
8. Contest judges, whose decisions will be final, will determine judging penalties for less serious contest violations.