Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars Celebrating Bold Dreamers and Strategic Thinkers

Registration Opens: March 1, 2025

Registration Deadline: April 1, 2025 by 11:55 PM EDT

• As part of your application, you MUST supply a professional abstract (300 words maximum)
• NOTE: Current STEMCats do NOT register online. See your research peer mentor.

Faculty Mentor Nomination Award Deadline: April 1, 2025  

• Poster Printing Upload Deadline: April 21, 2025 by 11:55 PM EST  Upload Here 

• Letters of Excuse: Request here

Every UK undergraduate student engaged in faculty-mentored research, scholarly or creative inquiry are eligible to present their work at the  Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars. 

Everyone who successfully registers by the deadline will be eligible to present.

REGISTER NOW

• Step 1 - Complete registration and submit an abstract (300 words or less) by 11:55pm EST on April 1, 2025

• Step 2 - Optional: Nominate your faculty mentor for the Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year by 11:55pm EDT on April 1, 2025

• Step 3 - Submit your poster for free printing by 11:55pm EDT on April 21, 2025

• Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars requires abstracts to be no more than 300 words. 

• An abstract is a concise statement of the major elements of a research project and/or scholarly work. It should contain an introduction; a purpose, objective or hypothesis; results of the project if it is complete; and conclusions drawn from what was learned. Abstracts should be written in past tense (with the understanding that at the time of submission your work may still be in progress). Avoid technical jargon and define all abbreviations. Use of the term "we" is appropriate, rather than "I".

• References are NOT included in an abstract. Be sure the abstract is:

  • Complete: Covers all major parts of the project

  • Concise: No excess or unnecessary information

  • Clear: Is readable and well-organized

  • Cohesive: Flows smoothly and is grammatically sound

Seek faculty advisor review and approval of the abstract before submitting.

Students may nominate their faculty mentor for the award starting March 1, 2025.  Deadline is April 1, 2025.  

Each year, outstanding faculty mentors are recognized at the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars for their outstanding leadership and support of students.

During the Showcase's Opening Ceremony on April 30, 2025 at 3:00pm, we also recognize the UK Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year award winners. This student-nominated award recognizes UK faculty members who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers, providing exceptional undergraduate research experiences, as well as supporting and promoting the undergraduate research initiatives on campus.

Go to UK Excellent Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year  to see all faculty award winners

Go to Mentor of the Year Nomination Form

2021 Virtual Showcase

2020 Virtual Showcase

2019 Showcase Abstract Book

2018 Showcase Abstract Book

2017 Showcase Abstract Book

2016 Showcase Abstract Book

2015 Showcase Abstract Book

No 2014 Showcase due to hosting NCUR 

2013 Showcase Abstract Book

2012 Showcase Abstract Book

2011 Showcase Abstract Book

2010 Showcase Abstract Book

Presentation Schedule

• SESSION 1:  1:00 - 2:30 pm

  • Poster set- up is from 12:30 - 12:55 pm (no late posters allowed)

• AWARDS CEREMONY:   3:00 - 3:30 pm

• SESSION 2:  3:30 - 5:00 pm

  • Poster set-up is from 2:30 - 3:00 pm (no late posters allowed)

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

This format is for students who wish to present a poster to summarize their research. Poster presentations will be presented IN-PERSON this year.  Poster presenters should prepare a short (5-6 minute) presentation. 

Research Poster Templates Available  - downloadable and can be customized

POSTER BASICS

The poster must be ONE PAGE. You can create your poster in PowerPoint, Google Slides, Adobe Illustrator, or any other appropriate program.

• Posters should not exceed 44 inches in width (left to right) and 36 inches in height (top to bottom) - otherwise they will not fit properly on the poster display kiosk

POSTER DESIGN

Poster design can significantly enhance or severely diminish the effectiveness of your presentation. The guidelines are general considerations:

• The focus of attention must be on the subject content.

• Letters should be large so that they can easily be read from 2-3 feet away. Letters should be easily read - avoid extravagant fonts

• IMPORTANT: Avoid using excessive text as it makes it difficult to follow the poster.

• Larger visuals attract more attention. Visuals not relevant to the content will distract the viewer.

• Be sure that your poster's layout is easy for viewers to follow during your presentation.

FREE POSTER PRINTING AVAILABLE

Upload your mentor-approved poster HERE by 11:55 PM EST on April 15, 2024 to have your poster printed free-of-charge.  Students are eligible for ONE free poster printing per semester.

Presentation Schedule

• SESSION 1:  1:00 - 2:30 pm

  • Session 1 presenters must arrive by 12:45pm

• AWARDS CEREMONY:   3:00 - 3:30 pm

• SESSION 2:  3:30 - 5:00 pm

  • Session 2 presenters must arrive by 2:45pm

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

This format is for students who wish to present their research using PowerPoint or Google Slides instead of a traditional poster.  Oral presentations will be presented IN-PERSON this year.  Students should prepare a short (5-7 minute) presentation and consider presenting using a "research blitz" format.  Presenters should be prepared for a live Q&A session to follow. 

LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: 5 - 6 minute presentation. This will allow 4-5 minutes for interactive Q&A session after each presentation. In your presentation, please consider the questions below:

Tell the story of your research process:

• The traditional story structure has a beginning, middle, and end. Where or how, specifically, did your research begin

• Your presentation can discuss the purpose of your study, background information and data, research questions, methodology, findings, conclusions, recommendations or next steps...just as you would when presenting in-person.

• What were some of the milestones or accomplishments along the way?

• Where are you now? Is this the end of your work, or is it a step in a larger journey? Describe.

  • What have you learned, and how have you grown through your research?

  • Your research is full of important information, but what if your audience could only remember one key idea?

SLIDE BASICS: First and foremost, please speak to your mentor regarding content. You can create your presentation in Google Slides or PowerPoint. So long as you are able to upload the presentation to Google Slides, it does not matter what you choose. Please note, if you start with PowerPoint and upload your slides to Google Slides, some features may change.

CONTENT DESIGN:

• The title effectively communicates subject matter.

• Purpose/objectives are clearly stated.

• Applicability or relevance of work is identified.

• Concise explanation of methods/analysis are used.

• Methods used are clearly conveyed.

• Conclusions are supported by data.

• Funding sources are acknowledged.

Presentation Schedule

• SESSION 1:  1:00 - 2:30 pm

  • Performing Arts presenters must arrive no later than 12:45pm

• AWARDS CEREMONY:   3:00 - 3:30 pm

• SESSION 2:  3:30 - 5:00 pm

  • Performing Arts presenters must arrive no later than 2:45pm

PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTATIONS

This format is for students who wish to present a pre-recorded performance or audio loaded to YouTube. Performance presenters have the option of speaking about their research live or including their presentation on the pre-recorded YouTube. Presenters must be logged onto Zoom for the duration of their session to be available for questions.  

View sample of 2020 Virtual Showcase Performing Arts Presentation

LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: 5 - 6 minute presentation. This will allow 4-5 minutes for interactive Q&A session after each presentation. In your presentation, please consider the questions below:

Tell the story of your research process:

• The traditional story structure has a beginning, middle, and end. Where or how, specifically, did your research begin

• Your presentation can discuss the purpose of your study, background information and data, research questions, methodolgy, findings, conclusions, recommendations or next steps...just as you would when presenting in-person.

• What were some of the milestones or accomplishments along the way?

• Where are you now? Is this the end of your work, or is it a step in a larger journey? Describe.

  • What have you learned, and how have you grown through your research?

  • Your research is full of important information, but what if your audience could only remember one key idea?

Presentation Schedule

• SESSION 1:  1:00 - 2:30 pm

  • Visual Arts projects must be set-up no later than 12:45pm

• AWARDS CEREMONY:   3:00 - 3:30 pm

• SESSION 2:  3:30 - 5:00 pm

  • Visual Arts projects must be set-up no later than 2:45pm

VISUAL ARTS PRESENTATIONS

This format is for students who wish to present a piece of visual art. 

Submissions of 2- and 3-dimensional visual artwork (including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, etc.) should follow these guidelines:

• Any size work is acceptable, as long as it can be photographed and presented online. 

• Works should be appropriate for a large public audience that may include children.

• Submissions should include a high-resolution photo of the work, along with an abstract or artist’s statement (300 words max.)

Presentation Schedule

• SESSION 1:  1:00 - 2:30 pm

  • Tabling projects must be set up no later than 12:45 pm

• AWARDS CEREMONY:   3:00 - 3:30 pm

• SESSION 2:  3:30 - 5:00 pm

  • Tabling projects must be set up no later than 2:45 pm

TABLE PRESENTATION DETAILS

• Display or demonstrate your mentored research or creative work via a table presentation.

• Previous Table Presentations include:

  • Computer science projects involving monitors, a research poster, and guitar

  • Anthropology project involving primitive jewelry and monitor

  • Creative project involving small easels to display artwork and research

• Be sure to indicate on the registration form if access to electricity is needed.

Yes! We encourage both individual and collaborative efforts. Each project only needs one faculty mentor.

Only one of the undergraduate authors should register. There is space provided in the registration form to indicate all additional undergraduate project authors (up to 17 additional students). Please include the names of ALL undergraduate members of your project’s team when you fill out the online registration form to ensure they are listed in the abstract book. 

Absolutely! We encourage fine and applied arts students to submit applications to present at the Showcase. We will work with student presenters to ensure we can properly display their creative projects.

Every undergraduate student who successfully registers by the deadline will be able to present their research in their chosen format (poster, oral, performance/visual arts, table).

Student registration must include research project title, mentor information, and an abstract (300 words or less).

Yes. You do not need your final results in order to present. Students can present research that is still in progress, but be sure to state it in your presentation.

Registration will open March 1, 2025. You will have until April 1, 2025 to register for the spring Showcase. You are encouraged to register as soon as possible so that your abstract is guaranteed to be printed in the abstract book.

Please read all instructions carefully both on this webpage and on the registration form. Registrations that do not meet all requirements will not be accepted. 

Yes! We encourage both individual and collaborative efforts. Students are allowed to register and present on several projects. Be sure to note which presentation time you prefer for each project. 

You will upload your abstract in the space provided in the registration form. As part of your application, you MUST supply a professional abstract (300 words maximum).

Abstracts should be a basic overview of your project and be written in the third person. Abstracts should NOT contain graphs, special characters, images, charts, or references.

Your abstract will have your name and your faculty mentor's name on it. Be sure your faculty mentor has reviewed your abstract prior to submitting it. All abstracts will appear in the Showcase Abstract book exactly as they are entered, so it is imperative that you proofread before submitting.

Your abstract must be limited to 300 words. Abstracts that exceed the allotted word count will NOT be accepted.

Posters may be uploaded HERE for printing with our office. Posters must be uploaded by midnight on April 21, 2025 to guarantee printing by the date of the event. You will be notified via e-mail when it is ready to be picked up at our office (211 Funkhouser). Please be sure to carefully review your poster before uploading, as each poster will only be printed once. You are responsible for ensuring there are no typographical or other errors on your poster!

All posters must be in PowerPoint format, have a height of 36" and include the University of Kentucky logo. Posters that do not follow this format are not guaranteed to be printed by the Showcase. You can download the UK logo here using your linkblue account.

You can find a template for your poster here. This is the correct size for the printers.

Yes, and we encourage you to do so! The Showcase is free and open to the public.

YES! Throughout the Spring semester, the OUR hosts many Workshops for students, including the upcoming Creating Posters + Presentations Workshop on March 22, 2025 for students preparing to give poster and oral presentations. Registration is required to attend and spots fill up quickly. 

View the Abstract Writing Workshop here.

The virtual conference is hosted entirely over the Internet. It allows attendees to access presentations from their computers. Attendees participate through a conference website designed specifically for the Virtual Showcase. The site is where you will view poster presentations, pre-recorded oral presentations, and engage with student researchers live for interactive Q&A sessions immediately following their presentations.

In 2020, the Showcase went 100% virtual due to the impact of COVID-19. View the Students' Virtual Project Gallery and Presentations