MGRS Presenter Information
Welcome, Midwest Graduate Research Symposium presenter! On this webpage, you'll find the information you need to prepare for the MGRS on Saturday, April 11, 2026. If you have any questions about this year's event, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at GSA@utoledo.edu.
If you or your party have any accessibility needs, please contact The University of Toledo College of Graduate Studies at GradSuccess@utoledo.edu.
Presentation PreparationDirections, Parking, and ArrivalSchedule & What to ExpectFrequently Asked Questions
Presentation Preparation
Be sure to review the presentation requirements below. You will also find rubrics to help you prepare.
Requirements
We're breaking down presentation preparation by presentation type. Expand each category below for more details!
Poster
Poster Size and Orientation
Posters will be mounted on 8 x 4 foot bulletin board stands in landscape orientation. Posters must be no wider than 44 inches and no taller than 36 inches.
Presentation Duration
A panel of judges will be evaluating multiple posters within a 45-minute time frame. Your presentation should be approximately five minutes in length.
Presentation Rubric
Poster presentations will be evaluated by the quality of the visual content as well as the effectiveness of explanation and delivery. Click here to view the poster presentation rubric.
Lightning Talk (5-Minute Session)
Slide Deck
Your optional slide deck must be no longer than three slides (not including your title slide and any closing slides/references). Please send your slide deck to GSA@utoledo.edu no later than 12 p.m. Wednesday, April 8th so we can prepare these for you - no USB needed! You are also welcome to bring your presentation on a USB drive on the day of the event.
Presentation Duration
Your lightning talk should be approximately five minutes long with remaining time for questions and transitions. A moderator will assist and keep time of your presentation.
Presentation Rubric
Lightning talks will be evaluated by the effectiveness of explanation and quality of delivery. Click here for the lightning talk presentation rubric.
Seminar (10-Minute Session)
Slide Deck
Presenters may have an optional slide deck (no minimum or maximum number of slides). Please send your slide deck to GSA@utoledo.edu no later than 12 p.m. Wednesday, April 8th so we can prepare these for you - no USB needed! You are also welcome to bring your presentation on a USB drive on the day of the event.
Presentation Duration
Your seminar presentation should be approximately 10 minutes with remaining time for questions and transitions. A moderator will assist and keep time of your presentation.
Presentation Rubric
Lightning talks will be evaluated by the effectiveness of explanation and quality of delivery. Click here for the 15-minute seminar presenation rubric.
Preparation Advice from the MGRS Team
As you prep your presentation, check out the below tips!
Writing Your Script
Choose Accessible Language Without Generalizing Your Work
You will be presenting to judges with backgrounds outside of your field. When developing your script, you will need to explain your work in a way that can be understood by a variety of audiences without sacrificing important details.
Tips:
- Make a list of technical terms you expect to use and brainstorm simpler, more universal words or short explanations you can swap in.
- Read your script to a friend or colleague outside of your field and ask them to summarize your main idea.
- Consider analogies, comparisons, metaphors, and other creative ways to explain your work.
Follow a Structure
When writing your script, create sections that follow a sequence.
Example:
- Hook & background
- Problem/hypothesis/goal
- Approach/process/method
- Findings/results
- Relevance/significance
Build in Signposts & Transitions
Help your audience follow along by including verbal cues in your script that break down the parts of your presentation, highlight important points, and understand when you are moving from section to section.
Examples:
- "The central question my work addresses is..."
- "My project began with..."
- "Next we will discuss..."
- "I would like you to remember these two things.."
Creating Your Visuals
Prioritize Accessibility
When designing your visuals, consider the following:
- Text size: Ensure your text is readable from a distance
- Font: Select sans serif fonts that are easy to read such as Arial and Calibri.
- Color contrast: Use high‑contrast colors in your slides or poster so everything is easy to read, especially the text against the background
- Images and charts: Choose high resolution visual aids for your presentation.
- White space: Distance your text and elements so they have breathing room.
Use Visuals to Explain, Not to Decorate
Every visual you use should have a clear purpose. If a visual does not enhance your presentation or explain a part of your work, remove it.
Simple Slides, Strong Message
Your text and visuals should enhance your presentation. It is important to limit your content so that the audience can use it to follow along. Placing extra content on slides may distract your audience from your message.
Directions, Parking, & Arrival
Please be sure to review the below information for details to help you prepare to join us. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!
Directions
Click here for our Main Campus map! Below you'll find maps of Memorial Field House. Maps are posted around the building and will be provided to you via email prior to the symposium.
First Floor Map
Second Floor Map
Parking
We recommend parking in Area 13. Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Parking permits will be enforced. If you do not hold a campus parking permit, you can purchase a "C" day permit for $6.20. Please note you are able to park in "C" lots with white-lined spaces with this permit.
Click Here to Purchase a Guest Parking Permit
Arrival
Please use the Memorial Field House East/Centennial Mall Entrace (facing Centennial Mall) for arrival. There will be signage you can follow to the entrance.
Schedule & What to Expect
Read below for a view of the day and what to expect at this year's symposium!
Schedule
MGRS Schedule at a Glance
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Memorial Field House 2100
Registration, Judge & Presenter Preparation
Light Breakfast
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Memorial Field House 2100
Opening Remarks
Keynote Panel
AI Across Campus: A Multi Perspective Conversation on the Transformation of Higher Education
Overview of Symposium Layout
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Memorial Field House Second Floor
Seminar & Lightning Talk Sessions
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Memorial Field House 2100
Lunchtime Professional Development Session
The Three Minute Thesis Experience: A Panel Discussion
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Memorial Field House First Floor Atrium
Poster Session 1 (1:00 - 1:45 PM)
Poster Session 2 (1:45 - 2:30 PM)
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Memorial Field House Atrium & Second Floor
Networking Mixer
3:00 - 3:30 PM
Memorial Field House 2100
Awards & Recognition Ceremony
Closing Remarks
What to Expect
Arrival
If you are a seminar presenter: You must arrive by 8:30 AM to receive preparatory information from our coordinators.
If you are a poster presenter: If you will be joining us for lunch, please arrive by 12:00 PM to mount your poster on your assigned easel (if you are not joining us for lunch you may arrive at 12:30 p.m.).
We encourage poster presenters to arrive by 9:00 AM if possible so they may attend the opening remarks, keynote, and seminar/lightning talk sessions. You may mount your poster on your assigned poster stand once you arrive.
When you arrive, please use the Centennial Mall/East entrance as the registration tables will be stationed there. You will check in with a coordinator and they will provide you with:
- A presenter badge/lanyard
- Presenter packet including your presenter room/easel assignment, building map, schedule, and additional helpful information!
If you are presenting a poster, you can mount your poster on the easels (push pins/thumb tacks provided) upon arrival.
You will proceed to Memorial Field House Room 2100 for opening remarks beginning at 9:00 AM. If arriving at noon, you will be able to attend our lunchtime professional development session.
Seminar & Lightning Talk Presenters
Following the morning main session, you will be directed to your presentation room on the second floor.
A moderator will be present to introduce you to the audience and judges and will have your presentation prepared on the projector screen. You will be provided with a clicker to advance your slides (it's also a laser pointer!).
The moderator will keep track of time and give you a warning when your time runs low.
Once you finish your presentation, the judges will wrap up scoring and you may receive questions. Then, you're done!
Poster Presenters
You will be assigned a number corresponding with the number of your easel. You will mount your poster using thumb tacks/push pins provided to you.
Once your session begins, you will be stationed at your poster to discuss your research with attendees and you will be approached by the judges at one point during the session. You will present your work for five minutes and the judges will complete their scoring.
We ask that you remain at your poster for the full duration of your session.
After the poster sessions, there will be a networking mixer as the tabulation team finishes up and then the awards ceremony!
Recognition & Awards
Be sure to attend our recognition & award ceremony at 3:00 p.m.!
The Graduate Student Association will be announcing the winners of each presentation category and then we will wrap up with a few closing remarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I dress for the symposium?
Please wear what you would wear to an academic conference. We encourage business casual!
Do I have to register as an attendee?
Nope! By completing our presenter RSVP, you are all set.
I have a slide deck. Can I bring my slide deck with me?
We prefer that you send your presentation to GSA@utoledo.edu by Wednesday noon prior to the symposium, but if this is not possible you may also choose to bring it on a USB drive.
What are some good tips for presenting at the symposium?
- Be sure to explain your work in a way that non-specialist audiences will understand.
- Practice, practice, practice! Practice in front of a friend, your advisor, or even a mirror! Practicing your presentation is one of the most important ways you can prepare.
- Notes are welcome! Please feel free to bring them along - but be sure to remember eye contact and body language as you present.
- Breathe and enjoy the experience. We are here to celebrate you and support you. This symposium is a wonderful opportunity to present your work to fellow students and academics outside of your field!
Contact Us
Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns, we are here to help!
Email: GSA@utoledo.edu
Phone Number: 419.530.2633
We are so excited to have you join us this year!