Preparing Your Performance:

• Think about the structure – introduction, body, and conclusion.

• Tell a story.

• Prepare a so-called take-home message – one piece of information you want the audience to remember.

• What you say should connect to people's everyday lives.

• Provide context.

• Use humor only when appropriate.

• Create an interesting introduction – it sets the tone for your entire performance.

• Spark curiosity in your audience.

• Avoid scientific jargon and being overly technical – find simpler synonyms.

• Don’t overload your talk – people can absorb only a limited amount of new information.

• Try your performance out on someone outside the scientific field (friends or family).

• Make sure you stay within the time limit (3 minutes).

• Practice, practice, practice – a mirror or a classmate can be very helpful.

During the Performance:

• Don’t rush when stepping onto the stage.

• Don’t start speaking immediately after entering – take a short pause.

• Avoid stiffness – adopt a natural posture.

• Don’t pace back and forth without reason – it distracts the audience.

• Gestures should be more expressive on stage.

• Avoid monotony (e.g., in your tone of voice).

• Maintain eye contact with the entire audience – don’t just look in one direction.

Props

Props DO NOT constitute the performance. They are tools that SUPPORT it.

What captures the audience's attention:

• New and interesting information.

• Your passion for the subject.

• Humor (jokes, funny anecdotes, etc.).

• Tension, surprise, controversy.

• Connection to everyday life.

• Props.