The Presentation
The presentation represents the final step in the Fire project process. It is a self-evaluation and reflection by the student of all the he/she has accomplished and serves as the synthesis of all learning. It involves a speech of 8-10 minutes before a panel of teachers and community members, some of whom are experts in the field represented by the topic. The presentation describes what has been learned from documenting research, writing the paper, and fulfilling the requirements of the project. The presentation should include whom the student contacted, what worked, what did not work, and how problems were solved. Of special importance is a description of what has been learned from the total experience.
All students should be rehearsed and professional in their manner, dress, and appearance. To build confidence, practice their presentation in front of family members, teachers and peers. Following this advice will allow them to be prepared when they are ready to present.
All students should be rehearsed and professional in their manner, dress, and appearance. To build confidence, practice their presentation in front of family members, teachers and peers. Following this advice will allow them to be prepared when they are ready to present.
Presentation Minimum Requirements
Your presentation must:
Key points to remember before and during the presentation:
Your presentation must:
- Be 10-12 minutes in length allowing 4-5 minutes for a question and answer period.
- Include your product to provide physical evidence of your accomplishments.
- Address not only the project and the research, but challenge(s) along your project journey that lead to your personal and academic growth.
Key points to remember before and during the presentation:
- Make eye contact with your Fire Project review panel members. Rehearse enough that you do not have to read your notes.
- When facing the audience, be sure to avoid blocking your product.
- First impressions are lasting impressions! Professional standards of dress are expected.
- Be prepared. One of the msot effective strategies for reducing stage fright is to know the subject thoroughly. Each student knows more about their Fire project than anyone else does.
- Plan. Prepare an outline of your presentation assigning minutes for each phase of the project.
What Should I Say?
Introduction
Body
The body of the presentation must capture the essence of your project. Therefore, information from the research, personal growth and the product and project must be all intermixed as a whole. As the speech is planned ask yourself what things do you want the audience to know. Here are a few suggestions:
Conclusion
The conclusion has many attributes as the introduction. Leave everyone thinking about what you said. Select how you plan to end it all:a surprising fact, humor, video clip, story, rhetorical question, dramatic reading, quotation, projecting into the future, and looking into the past.
- The target in a solid opening is to catch the audience's interest and curiosity by skillfully introducing the speech topic. A good beginning is essential.
- There are several ways to begin a presentation such as: with a surprising fact, humor, video clip, story, rhetorical question, dramatic reading, quotation, projecting into the future, and looking into the past.
- Explain your rationale for choosing the topic
- Use transitional words such as: therefore, such as, however, because of, similarly, firstly, secondly, after all, despite, on the other hand, yet, regarding.
Body
The body of the presentation must capture the essence of your project. Therefore, information from the research, personal growth and the product and project must be all intermixed as a whole. As the speech is planned ask yourself what things do you want the audience to know. Here are a few suggestions:
- Project description including details about the product
- Projects connections to the major social justice themes
- Reference to interactions with mentor
- Reference to research, interview, etc...
- Demonstration of action
- How did the research and action connect?
- Reflection of personal growth
Conclusion
The conclusion has many attributes as the introduction. Leave everyone thinking about what you said. Select how you plan to end it all:a surprising fact, humor, video clip, story, rhetorical question, dramatic reading, quotation, projecting into the future, and looking into the past.
How Should I Say it?
Body Language
Voice
At the end of the presentation
- Eye contact - Practice often enough so that you will only glance occasionally at the cards. Your peers and the judges are supporting your work. Looking at them provides reinforcement and encouragement.
- Posture - Stand proud. This is your time to shine. This a great accomplishment and you have a right to be proud. Do not chew gum or have food in your mouth. Keep the hands quiet or move to make a point. Gestures should be a natural and spontaneous, not choreographed and mechanical. Avoid wiggling, shaking and fidgeting.
Voice
- Quality - vary pitch and tone
- Rate - many novice speakers talk too rapidly; slow down and listen to what is being said.
- Volume - speak moderately, but loudly enough to be heard.
- Articulation - use appropriate language that is clear; enunciate, breathe, eliminate verbal static such as ah, er, um, you know.
- Enthusiasm - enthusiasm will produce interest.
- Humor - use when appropriate.
At the end of the presentation
- Thank everyone for his/her attention.
- Ask for questions.
- Anticipate questions and answers questions like a pro.
- Give the person who ask the question direct eye contact.
- Do not answer with short, "I dunno," or "yeah," responses. Instead, restate the question into the context of the answer.
- Extend and expand on the information already shared in the presentation.
- If the answer is not known, do not try to fake it. Instead you could say, "That's a good question. I did not cover that in my research, but would like to find out about it. Thank you."
- At the end of the question and answer period, look at the judges and thank them for their time and interest.