RaCAS Prep Appointments
Schedule through Handshake with Undergraduate Research Advising
PRESENTER INSTRUCTIONS
RaCAS is CU Denver’s annual celebration of student-driven research and creative scholarship.
As presenters, this is your opportunity to share your work with peers, professors, family, and friends while receiving feedback from professionals in your discipline. Submissions are welcome from projects in all stages, it's ok if your project is still in development. We hope RaCAS offers you an opportunity to pause and appreciate all that you have accomplished. View 10-minute video introduction to presenting at RaCAS.
- Who can present? Any CU Denver | Anschutz undergraduate student, graduate student, or recent alum. All disciplines are welcome. If you have recently graduated, you may present a research or creative project that you completed while you were a CU Denver student.
- What can I present? Any research or creative project you’ve been involved in. Do you work in a research lab, are you writing a compelling paper in class, developing a research question, want to give a performance, working on a film, or have an art series to showcase? Submit an abstract today! It's ok if your project is still in early stages, RaCAS is an opportunity to get feedback on your work along the way. View past examples from RaCAS 2024.
- Who will be there? RaCAS is a community celebration! Students will be presenting to CU Denver peers, faculty, staff, administration, family, and friends. Presentations should be tailored to an educated, non-expert audience.
- My mentor is awesome! Great, nominate them for an Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year Award when registering with your abstract. If your mentor wins, we will notify you so you can be sure to attend the award ceremony on Friday, April 25 2025.
PRESENTER INSTRUCTIONS
Want to Present at RaCAS 2025?
- RaCAS is a hybrid symposium, so read the instructions carefully before choosing your presentation type and format.
- Final content must be approved by a faculty mentor before registration.
- Only one form per project is required (submit once per group).
- Presenters receive assigned presentation times and additional instructions after completing registration.
- View 10-minute video introduction to presenting at RaCAS.
Submission Deadlines:
- Friday, March 21: Registration Closed
- EXTENDED to Sunday, April 20 11:59 PM: Virtual Upload of Materials Due
- Friday, April 25, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm: RaCAS 2025 in Student Wellness Center
You can expect a full day of events at RaCAS!
In-person presentations on Friday, April 25, 2025 will be attended by community members and RaCAS reviewers who are excited to provide feedback on your work. Invite your family and friends to celebrate the pursuit of knowledge and new ideas. Virtual presentation options available upon request.
Presenters will receive additional detail via email, but plan to attend the whole day if you are able. Meet fellow student presenters and stop by the resource fair to learn about other ways to get involved.
- 8:00 – 9:00: Presenter Check-in and Breakfast
- 9:00 – 9:30: Opening Comments
- 9:30 – 11:00: Poster and Media Exhibit Session 1
- Resource Fair
- 10:30 Oral Presenter Set up
- 11:15 – 12:45: Oral Presentations
- 12:00 – 2:00 Lunch
- 1:00 – 2:30: Poster and Media Exhibit Session 2
- Resource Fair
- 2:30 – 3:00: Closing Comments and People’s Choice Awards
Have a class conflict? We encourage you to talk to your professor about your presentation and request that time off. Have them email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu with any questions.
People's Choice Award Categories:
- Arts & Media
- Biomedical Sciences
- Natural & Physical Sciences
- Social Sciences & Humanities
- Tech, Engineering, & Math
Virtual RaCAS Showcase (Required for All Presenters)
As a hybrid symposium, all presenters are required to submit materials to the Virtual RaCAS Showcase the week before RaCAS, Sunday, April 20, at 11:59 pm. All presenters receive detailed upload instructions via email after registering. Presenters can also access the RaCAS Canvas course for details.
The virtual presentations will launch on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and we encourage you to take time to check out the work of your peers, utilize comment walls to provide feedback, and vote for the People’s Choice Award.
Curious what students have presented in the past, want to know what virtual RaCAS will look like, or need inspiration as you put together your presentation?
- Check out other student research symposia happening at Universities around the country: https://symposium.foragerone.com/discover
- Browse the RaCAS 2024 Showcase
- View the RaCAS 2022 Recap video (10 min)
Fill out a registration form, including your project abstract and presentation type, to present as an individual or group at RaCAS.
- RaCAS is a hybrid symposium, so read the instructions carefully before choosing your presentation type and format.
- Abstracts must be approved by a faculty mentor before registration.
- Enter final content as it will appear on all RaCAS materials.
- Only one application per project is required (submit once per group).
- Include registration information for all student presenters who will be attending RaCAS, not all co-authors.
- You will receive an assigned time to present and additional instructions after completing your registration.
- Any accommodations or additional set-up needs must be finalized by April 4, 2025.
- Abstract submission closes March 21, 2025.
Before starting your RaCAS registration, make sure you have the following:
1. Choose Your Presentation Type
Decide how you are presenting on Friday, April 25, 2025. See full details on project types and submission requirements below. Please note, all presentations will upload materials to the virtual showcase.
- Poster Presentation: Build a 36" x 48" poster and prepare your 5-minute pitch to talk as people walk by or in a virtual lightning talk. Upload your poster PDF and a 3-minute recording of your talk to the virtual showcase. Each in-person poster registration will be provided one easel and poster board to display your poster in the main gym and one free poster printing from RaCAS. Indicate if you have additional set-up needs or accommodation requests (chair, table, outlet access etc).
- Oral Presentation: Prepare a 10-minute talk with accompanying slides to share in-person for the RaCAS audience. Upload your presentation slides and a 2-minute overview of your project to the virtual showcase. Provide your slides to the moderator; a computer and projector will be provided.
- Media Exhibit, Performance, or Demonstration: Present your work in the best way for your project. When sending in your abstract, propose an artwork series, a dance exhibit, interactive showcase and more! Explain in detail what you will be bringing/installing and describe your specific spaces needs: display dimensions, table, outlet access, easel and boards, etc. Not sure how to present? Reach out to undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu to brainstorm. Set-up must be finalized with RaCAS by April 4, 2025. Upload summary images or website links and a 3-minute overview of your work to the virtual showcase.
2. Select Your Project Category
- Arts & Media
- Biomedical Sciences
- Natural & Physical Sciences
- Social Sciences & Humanities
- Tech, Engineering, & Math
3. Prepare Your Project Title and 300-Word Abstract
- All content must be approved by a faculty mentor before registering.
- Registration must be a final version as it will appear on all RaCAS materials, the RaCAS committee does not edit submissions.
View abstract-writing tips and workshop recording in Handshake.
4. Gather Additional Information
- Main applicant information: CU student ID, CU email, phone number, and major information
- All additional student presenter information (include all co-presenters attending RaCAS, not all co-authors): CU student ID, CU email, and major information
- Faculty Mentor information: first and last name, CU email, department, and school
- Additional set-up or accommodation needs: must be communicated and finalized by April 4, 2025
Optional: Nominate a faculty mentor for an Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year Award
Include a a brief (150-200 word) description of why you have nominated this mentor. You may include how your mentor exhibits the following:
- Success of mentees/ impact on mentee's academic and or/ professional achievements
- Dedication to providing innovative opportunities for mentees
- Emphasis on diversity and inclusion through mentorship approaches /philosophy
The RaCAS team is here to help you prepare!
- View 10-minute What is RaCAS Video
- Book 1-on-1 advising by calling 303-315-4000 or scheduling through Handshake. Select: Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities: ‘RaCAS Prep’.
- Join weekly Drop-in Hours: Tuesdays on Zoom 1:00 - 3:00 | Wednesdays in LynxConnect 11:00 - 1:00
- Attend Workshops and Prep Sessions: https://www.ucdenver.edu/sites/research-day/workshops
Recorded Workshops and Tips:
Abstract-Writing Tips and Workshop Recording
Auraria Library Resources on Developing Posters
Auraria Library Resources on Presentations
Auraria Library Resources on Public Speaking
Presentation Resources and Recording of Poster Design Workshop
Templates and Logos:
Free PowerPoint Poster Templates
CU Denver Brand Colors in Correct Poster Dimensions
CU Denver Brand PowerPoint Slides
Presentation Examples:
CHOOSE ONE PRESENTATION TYPE BELOW
In-Person Presentation on Friday, April 25, 2025:
Each in-person presenter will be provided with an easel and board upon arrival to display printed 36" x 48" poster in the main gym. Be sure to indicate any additional needs in registration such as table, outlet access, or chairs.
- Presenters will be assigned a time slot to share project to RaCAS attendees and reviewers in the main gym.
- In-person presenters can email final poster PDF to undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu by the Friday before RaCAS for one free printing from the URCA office.
- If printing through URCA, presenters will pick-up printed posted when checking-in to present.
- Presenters are responsible for assuring any additional set-up needs or accommodations are communicated and finalized by April 4, 2025.
- Zoom option available upon request. Virtual presenters will screenshare 36" x 48" PDF poster in a 5-minute virtual presentation over Zoom. Virtual presenters may choose to create slides to highlight sections of the poster or display complete poster.
Online Submission due week before RaCAS, Sunday, April 20, 2025:
Poster PDF and 3-minute audio or video introduction (elevator pitch)
- The information must be readable in either landscape or portrait view with dimensions of 36" x 48".
- Poster upload must be a PDF no larger than 10MB.
- The PDF document may include a QR code.
- All Videos/Audio Files must be uploaded to YouTube as ‘unlisted’ content and submitted as a YouTube link (instructions here)
Resources:
In-Person Presentation on Friday, April 25, 2025:
Oral Presentations will be limited to 10-minutes max with a short Q&A time.
- Presenters will be placed in time slots as groups to present 10-minute talk for RaCAS attendees and reviewers in classroom-style presentations.
- Presenters provide slides to moderator; a computer and projector will be provided.
- In-person presenters must communicate with room moderators and arrive early to load presentations onto common room computers.
- Presenters are responsible for assuring any accommodations are communicated and finalized by April 4, 2025.
- Zoom option available upon request. Virtual presenters will screen-share in a 10-minute presentation over Zoom followed by short Q&A
Online Submission due week before RaCAS, Sunday April 20, 2025:
Slides and 3-minute audio or video summary of your presentation (elevator pitch)
- Presentation upload must be a PDF document of slides or images and cannot exceed 10MB.
- All Videos/Audio Files must be uploaded to YouTube as ‘unlisted’ content and submitted as a YouTube link (instructions here)
Resources:
Presentations on Friday, April 25, 2025:
This is a flexible format to best showcase creative projects.
- If selecting this option, include a paragraph explaining in detail what you will be bringing/installing, and indicate if you need items provided by RaCAS. Include display dimensions if larger than a standard 36" x 48" board.
- Student must provide: laptop, desktop, tablet, or CPU, monitors, projectors, etc.
- RaCAS can provide upon request: cocktail table, 8-ft table, chairs, outlet access, easels and 36" x 48" boards.
- Presenters are responsible for assuring the necessary media exhibit set-up needs are communicated and arrangements must be finalized by April 4, 2025.
- This format will be displayed in the main gym, choose the Oral Presentation type to give a 12-minute talk instead.
- Questions on what you can display/present? Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu.
- Zoom option available upon request. Virtual presenters will screen-share in a 12-minute presentation over Zoom followed by short Q&A.
Online Submission due week before RaCAS, Sunday, April 20, 2025:
Representative image(s), recording, website, etc. and 3-minute audio or video summary of your presentation (elevator pitch)
- Presentation upload can include representative image(s), recording, media files, and supporting links to websites, portfolios, etc.
- Files cannot exceed 10MB
- All Videos/Audio Files must be uploaded to YouTube as ‘unlisted’ content and submitted as a YouTube link (instructions here)
Resources:
Have More Questions?
Abstract Tips and Workshop
View tips to write your abstract and access a workshop recording in HandshakePoster and Presentation Resources
Find poster and presentation tips and workshop recording in Handshake.For More Information
Email your questions to undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or call 3030-315-4000.Attend Workshops or Prep Sessions:
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