Office of Graduate Studies and Research

All CSUMB master’s students are invited to attend an initial public speaking training session. 

The competition is open to all CSUMB master’s students who have progressed far enough in a thesis or other significant research project to have clear results in hand. Competing graduate students will have access to more detailed public speaking training and workshops. The topic is open!  Fish physiology, child psychology, river hydrology, sustainable business models, pandemic impacts on social work! Bring it on! Have fun! Showcase (and hone) your presentation skills!

• Hone your "Elevator Talk"
• Showcase your research and creative activities.
• Create a video of your presentation to add to your LinkedIn account for employers and colleagues to view.
• Improve your professional speaking and presentation skills.
• Earn the opportunity to participate in a CSU-wide competition.
• Win fabulous prize money!
  
              First Place: $1800
              Second Place: $1200
              Audience Choice: $500

• Semifinalists will be chosen based on their applications.
• Semifinalists will submit a pre-recorded presentation in a video format.
• Semifinalists will be shown how to record their presentations in zoom.
• Judging will not be based on the rubric shown above, not on the technical quality of your video.
• Judges will score the videos based on the rubric.
• Up to ten finalists will compete LIVE using presentation skills learned in our workshops! The 2023 competition will be live on Zoom, not on a stage.
  
• The first place, second place, and people’s choice winners will be announced and publicized after the Grad Slam.
• The top two finalists will compete in CSU-wide Grad Slam event. 

Send questions to gradstudies@csumb.edu

You are invited to attend one of several live information sessions to see how it all works and to answer any questions you have.  

Information Session Dates:

Early Bird Session! Tuesday, January 24, 2023 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. PST

Early Bird Session! Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. PST

Friday, February 10, 2023 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. PST

Monday, February 13, 2023 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. PST

Come to one of our workshops to learn what makes a compelling speaker and an engaging talk. There are two sessions open to all graduate students.  We will also offer more workshops and personalized training for our Grad Slam participants.

Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 12:00pm - 1:15pm, Join Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 12:00pm - 1:15pm, Join Zoom Meeting

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any kind; the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be delivered in traditional presentation style.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.
• Each presentation will be judged using the rubric shown below.

Clarity:  Did the speaker provide adequate background knowledge to make the talk and the importance of the project understandable?

Organization: Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?

Language matches audience:  Was the topic and its significance communicated in a language appropriate to an interested, but non-specialist audience? (For example, did the speaker avoid or explain discipline-specific jargon?)

Significance:  Did the presenter explain why the project mattered, addressing the impact and results of the research?

Delivery:  How was the delivery, including pace, enthusiasm, confidence, body language, and dynamism of vocal delivery?

Visual:  Did the slide enhance the presentation and help to emphasize the primary points of the talk?  Was the slide well designed, clear, legible and concise?

Engagement:  To what extent did the talk speak to your intellectual curiosity?  Did it make you want to learn more about the topic?

• Information Sessions: January and February
  
• February 21 and February 22: Public Speaking, Workshop 1 (Open to all interested graduate students!) (scroll up to find dates & registration links)
  
• February 23 at 9 p.m.: Deadline to submit Grad Slam competition application
  
• February 27: We will notify all semifinalists by this date (Occurring on a rolling basis as applications are received)
• February 28, 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. Public Speaking, Workshop 2 (Open to semi-finalists)
• March 7, 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. Public Speaking, Workshop 3 (Open to semi-finalists)
• March 14, 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. Public Speaking Workshop 4 (Open to semi-finalists)
• March 21 and 22: One-on-one Coaching Sessions through Zoom before you create Zoom video
• March 23, 9:00 PM Deadline for submitting video!
• March 24 - 26: Finalists determined by judges
• March 27: Finalists notified
• April 5: Optional one-on-one rehearsals through Zoom (finalists will sign up)
• April 6, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.: CSUMB GRAD SLAM FINALS live on Zoom
  
• May 6: 3rd Annual CSU Grad Slam competition, via Zoom, hosted by San Diego State University