Students are required to provide a project title and an abstract, summary, or artist statement when completing the participant form. These details will be featured in the symposium program. We encourage you to collaborate with your faculty sponsor, site supervisor, or a librarian to refine your title and abstract, summary, or artist statement before submitting your application. After submission, library staff may reach out to assist with any necessary edits.

Title: Your title should be brief and to the point, providing a clear indication of the topic or focus of your project.

• Abstract: A clear and concise 150-200 word description of your project. It should be free of spelling and grammar errors. An abstract communicates to the reader the essential elements of your project and may include:
  • Statement of purpose: What are you aiming to discover, prove, or explore through your research or creative endeavor?
  • Methodology: Explain the methodology or creative process behind your project. How did you go about your research or creative work? Did it involve creating artworks, conducting interviews, employing standard experimental techniques, or gathering and analyzing data or sources?
  • Results: What were the outcomes of your project? Whether it was the production of art, literature, multimedia works, or the execution of surveys and experiments leading to data collection, share the outcomes. If your project is ongoing and results are not yet available, indicate the expected outcomes based on your research direction.
  • Summary and significance: Provide a brief overview of your project and its importance. How does your work contribute to your field of study and potentially impact broader areas? Discuss the potential influence of your project and whether it opens up new questions or paths for further investigation.
• Summary for internships or clinical/off-site placements: A 150-200 word description of your experience, including location, timeframe, what was done, contributions, and 1-2 key learning points.
• Artist statement: Clearly describe what creative work(s) will be shared. Include the name of your creative work, date of creation, and medium if applicable. Address the following in 150-200 words:
  • An explanation of what motivated or inspired you
  • What you want the audience to see, experience and/or feel when they view your work
  • Any interesting aspects of the materials or techniques used
  • Any other information that will help the audience interpret and appreciate the work you are exhibiting or performing

Digital/E-Posters, printed, or tabletop posters are all acceptable formats for the symposium poster session.

• Digital/e-posters: Should be designed in PowerPoint or Google Slides. You will present your digital poster on a TV monitor or other digital display.
• Printed posters: We recommend using the standard 36″H by 48″W format for your poster but can potentially accommodate other sizes. The library will cover the cost of printing your poster. Note: If you choose to present a printed poster, you must submit a PDF of your poster by 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, to allow for printing ahead of the symposium.
• Tabletop posters: These are traditional tri-fold posters. You will need to cover the cost of supplies if you choose to present in this format.

Resources for standard research posters:

• GCC themed poster template (You will need to make a copy. Use of this template is optional.)
• New York University, NYU Libraries: How to Create A Research Poster
• How to Make an Academic Poster in Powerpoint (video)

Contact librarian Young-In Kim (kimy@gcc.mass.edu) if you need additional help preparing your poster.

Student interns can either share a traditional research poster (if their internship included a research component) or a poster that focuses on the internship experience (suggested outlined below). We will also accept other project formats.

The purpose of an internship poster is to summarize the internship experience for an audience that might not be familiar with the field. Your poster can include the following content sections.

1. Title: Craft a title that succinctly highlights the key aspects of your internship experience, using language accessible to all viewers.
2. Introduction: Provide your name, company/organization name, internship location, position, and dates. Additionally, detail how you secured the internship.
3. Abstract: Provide a concise summary of what was done and learned in the internship and the course.
4. Learning Objectives: Outline 2 to 5 learning objectives you planned to achieve during your internship.
5. Professional Development: Explain what inspired your pursuit of this internship, particularly in terms of its potential impact on your professional development and alignment with your career goals.
6. Description of Key Responsibilities: Summarize the primary tasks, activities, and projects completed throughout the internship.
7. Application of GCC Courses: Explain how your coursework contributed to your internship experience, linking relevant courses, theories, and concepts to their practical applications.
8. Lessons Learned: Reflect on insights gained about the industry, company/organization, career trajectory, and personal growth throughout your internship experience.
9. Acknowledgements: Recognize individuals who supported you, including the internship site supervisor, course instructor, mentors, and funding sources. Provide their full titles.

Contact librarian Young-In Kim (kimy@gcc.mass.edu) if you need additional help preparing your poster.

We are privileged to host the symposium annually thanks to our committed faculty, exceptional teachers who inspire and mentor our students towards outstanding achievements. Your students are encouraged to showcase capstone or other research projects, exceptional creative works, or any other work you feel is appropriate for the symposium venue. We welcome traditional research projects but also work that is non-traditional and/or innovative. Dive deeper into the symposium and explore opportunities for engagement by tuning in to a podcast episode from the Teaching, Learning, and Innovation Podcast, hosted by Dr. Gary Ackerman.