The inaugural Ignite Project Expo is under a week away! By this time next Friday, November 22nd, the morning presentation session will be over, and teams will be eagerly awaiting to learn which projects will advance to the Pitch-Off. In case you’re wondering about logistics for the day’s events, here’s everything you’ll need to know:
Timeline
9 – 10 AM: Check-in at the registration desk on the 1st floor of the ERC, and then set up your project at the assigned spot.
10 AM – 12 PM: The morning presentation session – this is when your project will be scored by judges and viewed by visitors.
12 – 1 PM: A break from the activities for lunch (not provided). Students from Professor Danny Dullea’s COMM 217 course will be presenting a choral reading during part of this time, so feel free to stick around and listen to what they have to say.
1 – 2:30 PM: The Pitch-Off competition! To keep the contest intense, participating projects will be announced in real-time as the Pitch-Off progresses.
3 – 4 PM: The awards ceremony, where all of the top scorers and special prize winners will be announced.
Other Key Details
Project Categories: Each of the 89 projects has been assigned to one of 12 distinct categories, which can be found here. Besides the contents of your project, your specific project number (such as ARC-03) will be used to tell you apart from your competition.
Project Location: The 12 categories have been spread across the 1st and 2nd floors of the ERC, and each project has been assigned a specific spot. Check out this document to learn where you’ll have to set up!
Table / Easel Size: If you requested a waist-high table, you will be provided with a 3 x 2 ft section of a 6 x 2 ft table, with two teams sharing a table. If you requested a poster easel, you will be provided with the easel, a 3 x 4 ft foam board, and the clips to place your poster on the foam board. If you requested both, the easel will be placed behind the table and should not be moved to be beside the table.
Posters Printing Options: The Makers’ Loft has a color printer that prints on glossy paper up to 3 x 2 ft. This free resource is open to all students during open hours (Sun – Thurs, 1 – 6 PM). Clarkson’s OIT (4 x 3 ft, contacted via email) and the UPS Store in Potsdam (virtually any size, contacted via email or in-person visits) can also print posters at a cost (and with a possibly-long lead time).
Electrical Power: Although certain spots within the ERC are near outlets, we can’t guarantee that power will be available for your projects to use. If you think you’ll need it, consider bringing a portable battery pack or another safe power source.
Dress Code: Be sure to come dressed for the occasion in business casual or business professional attire. With cameras rolling and excitement in the air, you’ll never know when you might have to step into the spotlight – if you do, it’ll be important for you to look your best!
Questions You Might Have
I have a class during the morning presentation session. Is there any way my project can still be included in the Expo?
Absolutely! All we ask is that at least one person stand by your project at all times between 10 AM and 12 PM. That doesn’t need to be the same person throughout that two-hour window, so feel free to tag in and out with your teammates as needed.
What do I need to prepare or bring for the Pitch-Off?
The Pitch-Off is a no-props, no-slide deck affair – one member from your project team will have three minutes to present the highlights of your work to the judges and audience, and not a second longer! In the leadup to the Expo, think about how you can best describe your hard work (and what you learned) to someone who might not know much about it.
My category is a bit larger than others… Do I still have a fair chance of advancing to the Pitch-Off?
Of course! To ensure that all projects have similar opportunities, the largest categories will have multiple top scorers, meaning that more than one team will advance to the Pitch-Off.
Why are the tables within each category not placed in numerical order?
Based on the information you shared, we’ve grouped projects with similar needs (tables, easels, or both) together within each category. Although the order of the projects may seem a bit odd, don’t worry – you’ll still be judged in your category alongside the other submissions!
Is there any way I can switch what is needed (table, easel, or both) for my project?
At this point, we’ve already developed the project layout about what you previously requested. Although it might be possible for us to switch what you receive during the Expo, we can’t guarantee any changes this late in the game.
That’s all we’ll share right now, but if you have any questions about anything related to the Expo, don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re very excited to see your projects next Friday!
The Clarkson Ignite Team
Photo: Image has text that reads “Ignite Project Expo | Friday, November 22nd | One Week To Go!” alongside the Clarkson logo.
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