Hear from past Rebel Grad Slam participants – Austin McKenna (2017), Henry Castillo (2015), LaToya Burdiss (2019), and Jason Avedesian (2019) – about why they participated, their experience, and tips for future competitors.
The Rebel Grad Slam 3-Minute Thesis Competition is an opportunity for graduate students to showcase their research and scholarship in an engaging way. This is a fast paced research rumble to highlight the innovative and impactful work being done by UNLV graduate students. Come out to cheer on your friends, students and colleagues!
The Rebel Grad Slam challenges students to a 3-minute/1-slide presentation to showcase their research to the audience and judges in a condensed and compelling way. Participants will be evaluated on how well they explain and communicate the most significant parts of their scholarship/research. Winners of the Preliminary Rounds will progress to the Semi-Finals. Winners of the Semi-Finals round will compete in the Grad Slam Finals.
A panel of UNLV faculty, staff, and community members will judge each round of presentations using a standard scoring rubric. UNLV faculty, staff, and students, as well as family, friends, and the community are all invited and encouraged to attend the virtual Semi-Finals and Finals rounds.
This is a medallion-qualifying event for UNLV graduate & professional students. For additional information, please see the Graduate College Medallion Program website. The Rebel Grad Slam Finals Round & Reception also fulfills the major campus research event requirement for the Grad Rebel Advantage Program. Please see the event website for additional information.
Rebel Grad Slam Registration is due by Thursday, Oct. 14.
Preliminary Rounds
Each student only participates in one round.
- Monday, October 25, 2021: 12:00-1:00 p.m., via Webex
- Monday, October 25, 2021: 5:00-6:00 p.m., via Webex
- Tuesday, October 26, 2021: 12:00-1:00 p.m., via Webex
- Tuesday, October 26, 2021: 5:00-6:00 p.m., via Webex
- Wednesday, October 27, 2021: 12:00-1:00 p.m., via Webex
- Wednesday, October 27, 2021: 5:00-6:00 p.m., via Webex
Semi-Finals Rounds
Each student only participates in one round (if you advance to the semi-finals).
- Monday, November 1, 2021: 9 - 10:30 a.m.
- Monday, November 1, 2021:11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Monday, November 1, 2021: 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Finals Round & Reception
- Tuesday, November 2, 2021: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Upcoming Events
Rules and Regulations
- Contestants must submit the authorized Rebel Grad Slam PowerPoint to gradrebel@unlv.edu by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 18. Please label the PowerPoint document: LastName_RGS2021. Prior to submitting your slide, please review the Rebel Grad Slam PowerPoint and Presentation Requirements. Presentations that do not follow the guidelines will not be accepted.
- You cannot modify your PowerPoint slide between rounds.
- You may only use your 1 PowerPoint slide: no music, performances, props, note cards, etc.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs)
- The 3-minute presentation maximum will be strictly enforced; any contestants exceeding 3 minutes will be disqualified from the competition. A time clock will be made visible for contestants to monitor.
- All judges' scoring and decisions will be final.
- Contestants must log-in to WebEx 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the competition for check-in.
- Business casual is encouraged.
Why You Should Compete
All competitors will receive gifts for participating. For the preliminary rounds and semi-finals:
- 1st place wins $200
- 2nd place wins $150
- 3rd place wins $100
The final three overall winners will also win scholarships. But this is not just an individual event; competitors will also represent their Colleges.
The overall 1st place winner's College will be awarded the Rebel Grad Slam 'Stach Award to keep & display for the academic year. So sign-up, prepare, practice, and compete to gain professional skills, to show off your research & scholarship, and to represent your College at the Rebel Grad Slam event!
In addition, we are once again participating in the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) 3MT Competition and the Southwest Showdown 3MT Grad Slam. Finalists of the UNLV Rebel Grad Slam competition may have the opportunity to compete in these regional competitions. Additional information forthcoming.
Great Prizes
All participants will receive a Rebel Grad Slam T-shirt and Grad Rebel swag package.
The College with the most Grad Rebel participants wins a free lunch! The Grad Slam Champion's College wins control of the Rebel 'Stache Trophy.
The finalists will be awarded scholarships:
- 1st place wins $1,000
- 2nd place wins $750
- 3rd place wins $500
Tips for Success
- Use limited text on the PowerPoint slide.
- Use visuals on the PowerPoint slide. Optional visuals include: original charts, graphs, illustrations & photos.
- Practice, practice, and practice!
- Time yourself; Practice not exceeding 3 minutes.
- Speak to your audience, make eye-contact, speak clearly and confidently.
- Avoid jargon: present your ideas in an accessible way.
- Be engaging: make the audience feel something.
- Show up 15 minutes early to the event in which you are competing.
- Watch other 3MT presentation videos for guidance & inspiration.
- Be aware of the scoring rubric to help you prepare your presentation and earn the points you need to win your round.
Resources for Participants
- Watch winning 3MT presentations from around the world.
- Top Ten Tips for Writing and Delivering Very Brief Speeches by Bill Cole, Founder and CEO of William B. Cole Consultants
- TED Talks: Approximately 3-minute talks on "ideas worth spreading"
- 10 Most Common Rookie Mistakes in Public Speaking by Terry Gault, Managing Partner and Vice President of the Henderson Group
- How to win at academic presentations: top tips on what to say and how to say it by Sarah Knowles, Research Fellow with the NIHR
Recaps from Past Rebel Grad Slams
2020
2020 Winners
1st Place
Kendra McGlothen, School of Integrated Health Sciences
Harjiv Singh, School of Integrated Health Sciences
2nd Place
Andrew Ortiz, Graduate College
3rd Place
Johanna Andrews, Public Health
Michael Wong, Graduate College
2019
2019 Winners
1st Place
Nam Hoang, College of Sciences
2nd Place
Jason Avedesian, Graduate College
3rd Place
Johanna Andrews, Public Health
Michael Wong, Graduate College
2018
2018 Winners
1st Place
Trevor Pollom, College of Liberal Arts
2nd Place
Henry Castillo, College of Education
3rd Place
Bhagya de Silva, College of Sciences
2017
2017 Winners
1st Place
Austin McKenna, College of Sciences
2nd Place
Celine Ayala, College of Liberal Arts
3rd Place
Lorena Samentar, College of Sciences
2016
2016 Winners
1st Place
Karli Nave, College of Liberal Arts
Jacqueline Phan, College of Sciences
2nd Place
Wynn Tashman, College of Education
3rd Place
Stephanie Devine, College of Education
2015
2015 Winners
1st Place
Henry Castillo, Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
2nd Place
Kaiyang Wu, Lee Business School
3rd Place
Chris Hardy, College of Sciences
2014
2014 Winners
1st Place
Erica Marti, College of Engineering
2nd Place
Katelyn DiBenedetto, College of Liberal Arts
3rd Place
Chris Hardy, College of Sciences
Please be advised that your participation in the Rebel Grad Slam event may amount to a public disclosure which could jeopardize your ability to obtain patent protection in certain jurisdictions. As a student, prior to participating and openly sharing the details of your project, you may want to seek legal counsel. Regarding faculty, staff member or employee of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, please contact the Office of Economic Development regarding any disclosure you plan to share or otherwise present to ensure compliance with NSHE policy and to best advise you on how to protect any intellectual property that may arise from your project.