Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2021 18:56:56 -0600 (MDT) From: Jiong Qiu To: reu2021@solar.physics.montana.edu cc: Aki TAKEDA Subject: final presentation and conference participation Dear student, As we are drawing close to the end of the summer, you must be anticipating the highlight, the final presentation. The session will be on Aug 4, starting at 1pm. The format of the presentation will be the same as the midterm presentation, with a bit longer time for each talk, 15 min, followed by 3-min Q&A. The detailed schedule of the presentation is being worked on; if you have specific scheduling requirement, please let us know. Below is some general advice on what you might include in a research presentation: - big picture and background: why are you doing what you are doing; what's the current state of the research in this field; - specific objective of your project: what's the goal you are trying to achieve, what problems are you trying to solve, and how does that contribute to the field of research; - outline of the data, methods, or model you are using, emphasize your contribution during the summer; - results: significant outcomes from your research; have you achieved the goal, have you improved a method, what findings does you research lead to; etc.; - conclusions or future prospect: application of your research outcome, direction for improvement etc. Note that a research presentation is NOT a technical report, NOT a lab report, NOT a book-keeping journal. You do NOT list things you've done in the chronological order. You think through and reason the objective, rationale, scientific methodology, and significance of your work, and deliver such to the audience. Some thumb-rules for a timed presentation: - the number of slides should not be more than the number of minutes. Spend at least a minute per slide to explain clearly the material of a slide; - do not make a slide too crowded with dense text or multiple complicated figures; - use appropriate fonts, symbols, line styles, and colors that are well legible or visible. - strive to make a presentation that can be followed and understood by yourself 10 weeks ago .. - be confident: you are the master of your research and presentation, you know this material more than anybody else in the audience! We hope that, during the program, you have enjoyed the opportunities to practise presenting your research and communicating with fellow scientists. Furthermore, you are also encouraged to participate in conferences to present your summer research. Over the past week, your mentor must have discussed with you about a variety of conference opportunities in the coming fall, and the appropriate format for you to participate; for example, the fall American Geophysical Union meeting (https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting), or the Council for Undergraduate Research symposium (https://www.cur.org/what/events/students/reu/reu_symposium_2021/), or other meetings suitable for your research subject. Our program will pay for your conference participation, including abstract fee, registation, travel, and per diem. You will need to let me know as soon as possible so that we can start the paper work in time. If you have any question or concern, please do talk with me. Specifically, if you will be attending the AGU, please read on: - the abstract submission deadline is August 4. You must be a member of the AGU to be the first author on an abstract. Student membership is $20, and requires confirmation by someone at your school that you are a student -- please let me know if this causes you any financial hardship. Please get your membership by the end of this week. AGU Membership website: http://membership.agu.org/categories-dues/ - Abstract Submission: Abstracts can be submitted through this site: https://www2.agu.org/Fall-Meeting/Pages/Submit-an-abstract . There is a $40 fee for student abstracts, which MSU will pay for. Please prepare and submit the abstract with your mentor, who will take care of the fee payment. You may edit your abstract up until the deadline of August 4 at 5pm EDT. Here's a guide to writing AGU abstracts: https://eos.org/agu-news/a-guide-to-writing-an-agu-abstract. Be sure to include your mentors as co-authors! Include a sentence acknowledging your funding sources. For the REU program, include "This work supported by the NSF-REU solar physics program at MSU, grant number AGS-1851822." Ask your advisor if any other grants should be acknowledged. - AGU Travel Grant: The AGU provides travel grants that cover some of the costs for students to attend. You should apply! https://www.agu.org/Learn- and-Develop/Learn/Travel-Research-Grants/Fall-Meeting-General-STG. Travel grant applications are due Wednesday August 18, but please try to get them done before the end of your internship. The REU program will pay for your travel expenses if you do not receive a travel grant. COVID19 protocols and vaccination: The AGU expects only fully vaccinated people will attend #AGU21 in person in New Orleans. If you are not fully vaccinated (two weeks after the last required shot), please plan to attend online. The New Orleans Convention Center and hotel staff will be fully vaccinated. More on the AGU COVID19 protocols here: https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting/Pages/About/COVID-19-Protocols Have a good week! Jiong