Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society hosts a virtual student research conference, or "Student Research Showcase" each March. More information at http://www.sigmaxi.org/meetings/src/src.shtml

1. Creating a presentation site
for the
Sigma Xi
Student Research Showcase

2. Content
I. Procedures and Timeline for Student
Research Showcase
II. Creating a Presentation Site
III. Sharing your Presentation
IV. Student – Judge Discussion Period
V. Awards

3. Procedures and Timeline
1. Preliminary Approval: submit project
description meetings@sigmaxi.org
2. Presentation Creation: after you have been
approved to participate, create a presentation
site
3. Presentation Finalized: submit the URL of your
presentation to Sigma Xi by March 8
4. The Showcase (March 18 – 23):
Discussion Period via blog (Monday – Friday)
Final Judge evaluations (Saturday morning)
Awards announced (Saturday evening)

4. Creating a Presentation Site
The following description explains how to create a presentation site using the free
blogging software provided at www.tumblr.com
You may choose to use other blogging software such as WordPress or host your own
html webpage.
Regardless of the software you choose, your presentation site MUST have the
following:
1. An abstract that describes your research project (200 words maximum)
2. A technical slide presentation
3. A brief (2-3 minute) informal video introduction of you and your research aimed at
a general (non-technical) audience
4. A discussion widget similar to DISQUS (described further below)

5. How to use Tumblr for your site
• Create a free account at
www.tumblr.com
• Don’t forget to verify your
email address
• From the Dashboard go
to your Tumblr Page
(blank workspace you can
now customize)
• Click on

6. On the Customize page you
may create the look and basic
features of your page
• The default Theme is fine or
you may select another
• Title should be brief
statement of the focus of
your research (not formal
research title)
• Description should tell who
you are and list your
institution

7. Adding a Discussion Widget
Add DISQUIS (recommended) or
other discussion widget to your
site.
• Register (free) at
www.disquis.com
• Verify your email address as
requested
• On the DISQUIS installation
page, select the tumblr
platform
• Follow the 3 easy installation
steps
• Default settings on DISQUIS
are adequate

8. Content Placement
Remember – blog software (like Tumblr) will place
the most recently added item at the top.
If you want your page to appear (from top to
bottom) as Abstract > Presentation > Video, then
you need to post in reverse order: Video >
Presentation > Abstract.
We do not require a specific order – just that all
three elements (plus a Discussion widget) appear
on your page.

9. Adding an Abstract onTumblr
• From Dashboard select Text
• Under “Title” enter “Abstract”
• In the “Post” field enter your
formal project title followed
by your abstract contents
(~200 words)
• Select “Publish Now” if you
are satisfied with the
placement order of the
abstract (see previous slide).
You may return to edit
abstract contents later.

10. Text Content Editing
• Blog software often has limited text formatting
capabilities
• If you need special characters, you may cut and paste
from a word processing software
• Many special characters will work
– such as ≤, Σ, Δ, Ʊ
• Subscripts and Superscripts often will not display
• Example: C6H12O6 may appear as C6H12O6
• You may wish to say “Glucose” rather than C6H12O6
• You may also insert an image of a complex formula or concept
• You may edit using the HTML feature if you have that
expertise

11. Adding a Slide Presentation using Tumblr
• Upload the technical
slide presentation to
a hosting site such as
SlideShare or Google
Docs
• Generate embed
code from the slide
hosting site
• Add a “Text” post on
Tumblr
• Click on the .HTML
Code Button
• Insert the embed
code and save

12. Hint: Adding the slide presentation to the same
post as the abstract is an easy way to maintain the
positioning. Usig Tumblr, you may accomplish this
by doing the following:
• Open the “Abstract” post by clicking edit
• Click on the .HTML button and scroll to the bottom
• Insert the embed code and save
Otherwise, you may add the presentation as a
separate post (see previous slide).

13. Adding a Personal Video using Tumblr
• From the
Dashboard, select Video
• You my embed the
video from a hosting
site (YouTube, Vimeo)
by adding the URL or
you may upload the
video directly
• Adding a caption is
optional but often
a nice touch

14. Sharing your Presentation Site
• Submit the URL of your presentation site by
email to meetings@sigmaxi.org
• Your site will be linked at the Student
Research Showcase hub hosted at
www.sigmaxi.org
• You may view student presentations and other
content at the Showcase hub

15. Student – Judge Discussion Period
• During the week of the
Showcase (Monday-
Friday), judges will pose
questions to you on your site
(via DISQUIS)
• Once a judge (or anyone) has
posted a comment, you will
receive an email notice from
DISQUIS
• Log into your DISQUIS
account to reply to the
comment as well as to
"Delete", "Approve", or
"Spam“ as appropriate

16. Recognizing Outstanding Presentations
• After the discussion period ends, judges will
provide evaluations and rank the best
presentations
• Awards will be announced on the Saturday
evening of the Showcase
• Award winning presentations will be featured
on the Sigma Xi website
• All student presenters will receive feedback
from judges

17. For more information visit
www.sigmaxi.org
Or email meetings@sigmaxi.org