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National Exhibition Month

STUDENT GUIDELINES

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Nearly everyone’s had some variation of "the exam dream." You’re running toward a classroom for your final exam, but you can’t remember exactly where it is because you’ve never been to class or even read the book.

Don’t let this happen to you in real life. A few hours of advance preparation can head off days of anxiety and make you look like a professional presenter, as well.

Begin by reviewing the following lists with your teacher/sponsor and making plans to check off those items that apply to you and your Exhibition.

Advance Preparation

1. List all the media and tools that will be part of your Exhibition and note the day you expect to complete that part of the presentation. Create additional rows if necessary.

Date to be Completed Still Need... Comments   Display boards   Written documents   Script or notes for oral remarks   Computer demonstrations   Audio and or video products   “Live” experiments or demonstrations

2. If your Exhibition includes pictures, or computer or video support, you need to make sure that your audience can actually SEE them.
• Make the visuals big enough. A good rule of thumb is that a picture or computer or video screen should be 1/6 the distance from your audience. Thus, if your audience is six feet away from you, the visual should be one foot wide. If the audience is 12 feet away, your visual needs to be two feet across.
• Use big type and big pictures within your visuals. Another rule of thumb – Use no more than six-eight lines of type, and make each line of type no more than 28-30 characters.
• If you are using computer or video elements, you may need to turn off the lights and/or pull down shades so that the audience can see them (check out the actual room where you will be doing your Exhibition to find out). If it is permitted, enlisting a friend to handle these duties for you will make your presentation flow much more smoothly and will enable you to keep your focus.
3. Prepare and rehearse the opening and closing for your presentation. While many people feel that too much rehearsal takes away their “edge,” professional presenters, including actors, singers, and speakers, know that this is not true. There is plenty of adrenalin to go around without worrying about the words you’re going to say.
• At the very least, write down the first paragraph you will speak. It should include:
• "Welcome" to the audience. Remember, they are your guests.
• "My name is…______. I’m a (grade level) at (name of school)."
• "The purpose of my Exhibition is…."
• Write also your LAST paragraph:
• "That concludes my proof that…." (Refers to the "purpose" in the first paragraph)
• "Thank you for coming."
• "Now, may I answer any questions?"
• Then, practice them over and over, making adjustments as necessary to make them genuinely "your words."
4. You will also want to prepare and rehearse the entire presentation, using an outline or speaker’s notes.
• Draft a thorough outline of your Exhibition. Talk it through out loud, making notes and changes until you are fluent with it.
• Time yourself making the presentation and adjust it to fit the time you are allotted.
• Run through the actual presentation, paying attention to the "choreography" – that is, where you will stand for your opening statement, where you move next, what any machines or experiments require by way of movement, and where you will stand for your closing.
• Readjust the length of the presentation if necessary to fit the time you are allotted.
• Identify any elements that require you to stand with your back to the audience and fix them.
• After you’re comfortable on your own, ask your "AV assistant," if any, to rehearse with you.
• Finally, if you have time, rehearse with different audiences until you are completely familiar with your material and can answer any questions they bring up.

Day of the Exhibition

1. While you may have help from school services in setting up your room, it is nevertheless your responsibility to make certain that all the equipment you need is in the room, in the right place, and working. Giving yourself plenty of time to locate any missing items or to repair any non-working equipment, arrange to check out the room on the day of the Exhibition for the following:
• A table or desk for any objects you may be using
• A table or desk for any display boards
• AV and/or computer equipment, plugged in and working (test with your media)
• Chairs or desks for audience members. Check viewing angles from each chair to make sure the audience can see everything you want them to see
• Drinking water for you
• Anything else you have on your list
2. Dress for success. Dress codes vary widely and are sometimes controversial. The best advice is to remember who your audience is, and dress accordingly. Imagine, for example, that you are going on a job interview for a job you really want.
3. Welcome your guests. Take a deep breath, smile, and open your Exhibition with the enthusiastic welcome and introduction you have prepared.
4. Present with confidence. A little stage fright is normal. Use its energy to help you put on the best Exhibition you’ve ever done. You know the material and you’ve rehearsed the action. Go for it.
5. Close your presentation by restating your proof, by thanking your guests for coming, and by offering to answer any questions.

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