News & Events

Young Persons’ Lecture Competition

Event Details

Date: June 28, 2021

Time: 10:00am - 4:30pm

Overview

The Arthur B. McDonald Institute is committed to the continuation and expansion of the Young Persons’ Lecture Competition (YPLC) in Canada in partnership with the Institute of Materials, Minerals, & Mining (IOM3). The McDonald Institute is hosting the Canadian Competition on June 28th at 10:00 AM EDT. Contestants will be selected based on submitted abstracts to deliver presentations of their research. The winner of this competition will be eligible to represent both their research and Canada on the virtual Young Persons’ World Lecture Competition (YPWLC) this November hosted by IOM3. Each contestant who qualifies for the YPWLC will win a monetary prize with additional prizes given to the first, second and third place winners.

In 2019, the Canadian competitor, Morgan Lehtinen, received an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the Worlds Finals in London, UK. Morgan was the first Canadian representative in this competition and came home with third place. Read about the 2019 competition here.

 

Contestant Criteria

1. Contestants must be under the age of 28 during YPWLC (Fall 2021).

2. Contestants must submit an abstract to their regional competition.

3. Contestants have the choice to present a lecture on materials, minerals, mining, packaging, clay technology, wood science and engineering-related subjects.

4. Contestants will have 12-15 minutes to present their research to a panel of judges.

Abstract Rubric

 

Registration

Please click here if you are interested in registering for the 2021 YPLC.

 

Judging Criteria

Each entrant will be marked from a total of 100 points. Scores are as follows:

a.Structure of the lecture, clarity of explanation and argument, neither assuming too much or too little knowledge on the part of the audience.(20 marks)
b.Standard of presentation, clarity of diction, personal enthusiasm for the subject, ability to deliver lecture spontaneously (points deducted if constant reference to notes or memory aids interferes with presentation of the lecture)(20 marks)
c.Clarity and relevance of any visual aids used.(15 marks)
d.Calmness and competence in handling judges’ questions.(15 marks)
e.Technical content of the presentation.(10 marks)
f.Ability to deliver a concise meaningful summary at the end of main points.(10 marks)
g.Clarity and relevance of the entrant’s abstract.(10 marks)

Marks will be deducted for over-running of lecture time as follows:

Penalities
a.Over time by 2 to 4 minutes (i.e. between 17 to 19 minutes)(5 marks)
b.Over time by more than 4 minutes (i.e. more than 19 minutes)(10 marks)
 

Goals

1. Provide an opportunity for young students and professionals to demonstrate their research capabilities to regional and potentially national and global audiences.

2. Improve the presentation skills of the involved contestants.

3. Allow Canadian students and professionals an opportunity to win exciting prizes and represent Canada at the Young Person’s World Lecture.

 

Important Dates

June 16th, 2021: Entry form deadline.

June 18th, 2021: Participants contacted for invitations to present

June 28th, 2021: Competition day (Zoom based), 10 am EDT . The public are welcome and encouraged to watch.