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PITCH PERFECT

The FIRE Program presents two exciting opportunities to perfect your research pitch

this Fall semester

RESEARCH PITCH WORKSHOP 

Collaborate with FIRE Faculty Leaders, peers, and campus partners from the Oral Communication Center to prepare a short pitch of your research!

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What is it?

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The goal of the workshop is to equip current FIRE students with the confidence and skills to effectively present their research to broader audiences. It will help prepare students to present their research at the 2024 FIRE Summit and, if they choose to compete, at FIRE's Pitch Perfect event.

 

Who can attend? 

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Fall 2024 FIRE Semester 3 Students
or

Fall 2024 Peer Research Mentors

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When and where is it happening? 

 

Date: Tuesday, October 29th, 2024

Time: 5:00 - 6:00 PM

Location: ATL 2339

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Registration Deadline:

Tuesday, Oct 22, 2024 (end of day)

PERFECT PITCH COMPETITION

Show off your FIRE research findings by competing in the first-ever Pitch Perfect Research Competition!

 

What is it? 

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Hosted by the FIRE Student Leadership Committee, the Pitch Perfect Research Competition is an exciting opportunity to share your research with the broader FIRE community and learn about current research across different FIRE streams. The audience will vote for their top pitches, and winners will receive prizes.

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Who can compete? 

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Fall 2024 FIRE Semester 3 Students

or

Fall 2024 Peer Research Mentors

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When and where is it happening? 

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Date: Tuesday, November 12th, 2024

Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Location: ESJ 2208

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Registration Deadline:

Friday, November 8, 2024 (end of day)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the guidelines for the Pitch Perfect competition?

Competitors will have 90 seconds to pitch their research to the Pitch Perfect audience. Pitches must adhere to the following rules:

  • Presentations are limited to 90 seconds maximum and competitors exceeding 90 seconds will be disqualified.

  • Presentations can be traditional talks or spoken word poems.

  • Presentations begin when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted and should be presented from the beginning of the oration.

  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) is permitted.

  • Props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.​

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Is attendance/participation mandatory for FIRE students and PRMs​?
No, however, we feel that both the workshop and the Pitch Perfect event will be fun and help students develop both confidence and important career readiness skills.


Can I attend the workshop if I am not planning to participate in the Pitch Perfect Competition? 
Of course! We are hoping that this workshop will help prepare you to present at the FIRE Summit and to talk confidently about your research experience in the future.

 

Can I participate in the Pitch Perfect Competition if I can't attend the workshop? 

Of course! The workshop is an opportunity to help students prepare for the competition if they chose but it is not a requirement to compete.

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Can I get some help on developing my research pitch?​

You can find some helpful resources developed by the Oral Communication Center HERE. We also encourage you to schedule a consultation meeting with a peer advisor. 

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Is there a dress code?
Participants are not required to dress up for the occasion.  If you have a FIRE t-shirt, though, consider wearing it to the event.

Who do I contact to request a reasonable accommodation?
FIRE is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Ashley Harper. 

Additional questions can be sent to Dr. Jessica O'Hara (johara@umd.edu).

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