Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education

What is the difference between early-track and late-track?

Early-track is an idea. You present a research project idea that has no collected data, results or conclusions yet. Early-track cannot have any human subjects (e.g., giving out a survey or conducting an interview). If you have a class project you're working on, you may present the idea itself, but not any of the class/human content. If you are planning to use a class project as your idea, make sure you discuss it first with your Professor.

Late-track is a study. You present a research study that you have been working on or completed. Late-track with human subjects must have gone through IRB and been approved. Late-track has data you collected, analysis, and may be working on results/conclusions. If you are planning to use a class project, make sure you discuss it first with your Professor.

If you are unsure about whether your idea is early-track or late-track, or if you can present on something you've been working on in a class, please reach out to THInC at HerbInnovationCenter@utoledo.edu and we will work through it with you.

What types of research methods are accepted for this competition? 

All topics related to education and types of research methods are welcomed (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, survey simulation, experimental, single-subject, action research, historical, philosophical, reflective-descriptive, and interpretive research, etc.).

What makes a presentation competitive? 

A competitive submission will cover three specific domains within their presentations.

Significance: The student should explain the importance of the problem or describe the critical barrier to progress in the education field that is being addressed in the research. For example, explain how the proposed research or completed project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capabilities, and/or clinical practice related to education.
Innovation: The student will explain how their current or proposed research is innovative. For example, explain how the work seeks to shift current research or current educational practice paradigms.

Broader Impact: The student should discuss the broader impact of their research. For example, in what ways might their research improve education, mental health, well-being, contribute to society, and/or improve social justice outcomes?

What are the requirements for the PowerPoint? 

The PowerPoint should include 2 slides: title slide, and presentation slide

Title slide should include:

• Title of the presentation
• Your name (e.g., First, Middle Initial, Last)
• Degree program and level (e.g., Curriculum and Instruction, MA)
• Track (early or late)

EXAMPLE: "This is my cool title" Carolani Green, doctoral student in Higher Education, early-track

Presentation slide requirements:

• A single, static PowerPoint slide
• May include statements of significance, innovation, and broader impact
• May have images/text
• No slide transitions
• No animations or “movement” of any kind
• No additional sound or video
• No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment)
• Text and/or visuals can be used, but be sure to not be text-heavy and avoid complicated visuals

To see examples of past 3M/5M competitors and slides, vist Previous Winners page and select a term/year to view what has been done.

Can I do a virtual submission even if I live/work closer than 30+ miles?

Yes. Virtual submissions are allowed as a last-case scenario.

All students who can attend in-person should attend in-person. Virtual competitors will be held in their own competition (virtual and in-person submissions are not competing against each other), and receive less prize money. Also, graduate students who compete in virtual 3M are ineligible to move on to the university-wide 3MT.

Can more than one presentation be submitted? 

No. Students may submit only one entry to either the early research track or late research track. Competitors submitting multiple entries in any format (early/late/in-person/virtual) will be automatically disqualified.

Can I skip this competition and go straight to the University of Toledo's 3MT competition as a graduate student? 

No. Graduate students in JHCOE wishing to compete in the University of Toledo's 3MT must compete in our in-person late-track competition and place, in order to move on to the university wide 3MT. THInC's 3M Research Competition is considered preliminary-rounds for all JHCOE graduate students wishing to compete in the University of Toledo's 3MT.

How long is the presentation and are notes allowed? 

Presentations are limited to 3 minutes for the Graduate 3M (held in the fall semester) and to 5 minutes for the Undergraduate 5M (held in the spring semester). Competitors exceeding their minutes will be disqualified.

Undergraduate students (both early and late track) and graduate students (early track only) are allowed one 3x5 notecard with handwritten notes on one side only. You should not read from the notecard during the presentation, however. It should be used a helpful guide.

Graduate students late track are not allowed any notes. Winners in the Fall competition will move on to the University of Toledo 3MT competition held in late fall.

What are the requirements for the style of presentation? 

• Presentations are to be spoken-word (e.g., no poetry, raps, or songs).
• Do not read from a script during the presentation. For those allowed notecards, use it briefly as a guide as needed.
• Be clear in their delivery and project their voice to the audience.
• Use nontechnical terms for a non-specialist audience.
• Be engaging and show enthusiasm/passion.

Check out YouTube for previous winners of THInC's 3M/5M Research Competition.

• Undergraduate 5M example late-track
• Undergraduate 5M example early-track 1
• Undergraduate 5M example early-track 2
• Graduate 3M example late-track 1
• Graduate 3M example late-track 2
• Graduate 3M example early-track 1
• Graduate 3M example early-track 2

The panel of judges will include professionals from both within and/or outside the University of Toledo, excluding the Judith Herb College of Art, Social Sciences and Education. Judges may or may not have a background in research or education. Additionally, no judge will have a student mentee participating in the event.

Judges will use the UToledo 3MT Judging Sheet to judge all presentations.

The decisions of the judges are final.

When and where will the presentation be?

Fall 2025 3M/5M dates will be released soon.

Does the presentation have to be in-person? 

No. Each presenter will have the option to compete either in-person (preferred) or virtually (if you work/live 30+ miles away). Please note, if you compete virtually, award amounts/prizes are different than in-person attendees.

What do I need to do if I'm presenting virtually?

You will register as normal through the registration tab before the submission deadline for that semester - choose *virtual* option. You will be contacted via email from THInC to set up a time when you will record your presentation virtually with one of our team members. Via a Teams meeting you will give your 3 or 5 minute presentation, which we will record and then play at the live competition. No notes or reading from cards is allowed. Anyone going over their allotted time will automatically be disqualified from the competition, just like in-person. You get one presentation shot (via Teams meeting), just like all in-person competitors get. You will be judged during the in-person competition against other virtual competitors in your track, and winners will be announced at the end of the competition.

Will the presentation be videotaped? 

Yes. Each presenter will be video recorded during the duration of their presentation.

Who will I be competing against?

Presenters will compete exclusively with students of their own level and track. For example, in-person early-track graduate students will face competition solely from other in-person early-track graduates.

What happens if I win?

Students who succeed in the Early Track competition will receive a prize according to their performance: $175 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for an honorable mention. Additionally, there is a $75 prize for the recipient of the People's Choice Award, reflecting the support and recognition from their peers and audience, which anyone competing could win.

Similarly, students who succeed in the Late Track competition will receive a prize according to their performance: $300 for first place, $175 for second place, and $100 for an honorable mention. Additionally, there is a $175 prize for the recipient of the People's Choice Award, reflecting the support and recognition from their peers and audience, which anyone competing could win.

Please note, if you compete virtually, award amounts/prizes are different than in-person attendees.
 
Winners will be announced via email and on our website the week following the competition. Winners will also be given credit in our THInC Updates. Per Title IV, all awards will be posted to UToledo Student accounts. The awards pay out like a scholarship and the process can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks. 
 
​*Per Title IV, all awards will be posted to UToledo Student accounts. The awards pay out like a scholarship. Therefore, a limited amount of money from the award may be paid out if financial aid is maxed out. This process can take anywhere between 2-8 weeks.
 
If you do not see the answer to your question below, please contact the Herb Innovation Center at HerbInnovationCenter@utoledo.edu