College Park Scholars

University of Maryland

College Park Scholars

Academic Showcase

Value of  Showcase Participation

Begun in 1997, the College Park Scholars Academic Showcase provides sophomore Scholars the opportunity to develop and enhance two particular skills:

Digital Presentation – through the development of a digitally developed poster presentation; and

Oral Presentation – through interaction with fellow students, campus faculty and administrators, about your practicum research, internship or service-learning project.

In addition, the Showcase provides students the opportunity to network with campus administrators and faculty, who direct national scholarships, oversee departmental honors programs, and invite undergraduates to participate in their research.  Finally, Showcase participation provides students the opportunity to mentor first-year Scholars about research, internship and service-learning opportunities, and model the presentation skills they have developed.

Student Participant Information

Engage the UM community with your Scholars practicum projects! The 13th College Park Scholars Academic Showcase is scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, May 1st, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Cambridge Community Center.

In 2008, all students in the Discovery, and Library of Congress Research courses, showcased their work, along with sophomores in the Life Sciences, Earth, Life & Time, and Science, Discovery & the Universe, International Studies, Public Leadership and Advocates for Children programs.  All sophomores are invited to participate. 

To register:

Students are asked to register by logging online at:

College Park Scholars 13th Annual Academic Showcase Online Registration 

The deadline to register is Friday, March 13, 2009.

This year, the registration and poster-printing payment process has been streamlined.  As you register, information will be provided as to how to pay for the printing of your poster.  This year, the printing fee is $40.00 (compared with Kinko’s equivalent charge of $85.00)

Showcase Specifics

All presenters should pick up their posters from their Scholars program directors prior to the Academic Showcase on Friday, May 1, 2009  (Check with your Director to see if other arrangements have been made regarding your posters);

Arrive at the CCC no later than 12:30 pm;

Dress is business casual;

Students will register in front of the CCC (weather permitting).  You will receive a nametag, a gift from Scholars commemorating the day, and your room assignment;

The event will formally start with a welcome by the Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Professor Donna Hamilton, and the Provost, Professor Nariman Farvardin, at 1:30 pm;

Take time throughout the afternoon to discuss your projects with visitors.  Ask you visitors who they are. (It helps to know your audience  You may be talking to someone who coordinates national scholarships for the campus, or directs a departmental honors program);

Take time during the Showcase to review your fellow students’ projects.

Your Digitally Designed Poster

Many of you already have developed this skill.  For others, this will be the first time you have digitally developed a poster.  This means, put down the scissors, glue and lettering, and open up a PowerPoint screen on your computer.  (If you use any other software package to develop your poster, submit it in PDF format, sized as indicated below, to ensure accuracy in printing.)

The sections should “flow” in a logical order so that if you are not with your poster, a visitor would be able to follow the steps of the your research process from beginning to end.

For more information about the Academic Showcase, please contact:

Greig Stewart
Executive Director
College Park Scholars
1125 Cumberland Hall
301-314-2777
gstewart@umd.edu