Minnesota State Undergraduate Scholars Conference

The Minnesota State Undergraduate Scholars Conference provides intercampus engagement and celebrates our students and faculty as leaders in undergraduate research. With guidance from faculty mentors, students have the opportunity to prepare poster-, oral-, artistic-, or gallery-style presentations to showcase at this annual conference.

This year's eleventh annual conference will take place as a hybrid event with both in person and virtual activities on April 28-29, 2022. All are welcome to attend to check out the undergraduate research presentations by our Minnesota State scholars. Registration is required. The registration deadline for conference attendees — those not presenting — is April 15, 2022.

Students and faculty who wish to present at the conference must register in advance by March 31, 2022, and submit an abstract with their registration. The abstract portion includes the following questions:

  • Project title
  • Student presenter names and affiliation
  • Faculty mentor's name
  • Abstract (up to 250 words)
  • Type of virtual presentation: poster, oral, artistic performance, gallery exhibit
  • Time preference to present
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Poster Presentation

  • Presenters will be available to discuss their posters at the assigned presentation time.
  • Poster should be a one-page PDF.
  • Important information should be easily readable.
  • Word count should be 300 – 800 words.
  • Text is clear and concise.
  • Effective use of graphics, color and fonts.
  • Include your name, institutional affiliation, and acknowledgements.
  • Presenters must prepare an “elevator speech” (1-2 minute summary of your project) to share with audience members.
  • You are encouraged to record 1-2 minute video summaries in advance to be included on the conference website. 

Oral Presentation

  • Presentations are a maximum of 15 minutes, including a question-and-answer period.
  • Presentations must use PowerPoint, or similar presentation software to describe your project.
  • Use of PowerPoint is encouraged and slides should use effective graphics, color, font, and text should be clear and concise. Professional presentations use PowerPoint slides as an aid to outline and guide a presentation, but not to substitute for a presentation (in other words, do not just read the text on each slide).
  • Include your name, institutional affiliation, references, and acknowledgements.

Artistic Performance

  • All presentations must either be performed on Zoom or in person. It is also an option to record your performance in advance and include that on the conference website.
  • Maximum of 30 minutes allotted for each performance, including question and answer period.
  • Presentation should be similar to the activities expected at a professional fine arts conference or festival. Consult with your faculty mentor/advisor.

Gallery Exhibit

  • All forms of visual art, including original painting, sculpture, photography, prints, textile arts, drawing, pottery and metal.
  • All exhibits must be displayed virtually through Zoom or in person. It is also an option to record your gallery presentation in advance and include that on the conference website.
  • Presenters will have a maximum of 60 minutes during the day to display their exhibit virtually.

2022 Conference Contact

Kristen S. Genet, Ph.D, Faculty, Dept. of Biology
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
kristen.genet@anokaramsey.edu