MCC-Maple Woods Student Scholar Showcase

Students may present class projects or assignments from their time at MCC, including:

• Capstone projects
• Research projects
• Experiential learning
• Poems, dramatic monologues, short stories
• Essays
• And more

Presenters may create their own poster design in cooperation with their faculty mentor or use an optional template provided by the school. Final posters must be:

• Designed in Microsoft PowerPoint using the standard (4:3) slide ratio
• Sized to 36 x 24 inches in either landscape or portrait orientation  
• Typed in a legible font that is large enough to read from a distance of 3-5 feet
• Branded with the MCC-Maple Woods logo (provided to students designing their own poster)

Posters are printed by the school.

• Layout — Use a grid system for a clean, organized look. Consult the provided templates for examples of grid layouts.
• Color scheme — Choose a simple, professional color palette. Avoid bright, low-contrast or clashing colors.
• Font — Use a clear, legible font such as Arial or Helvetica. Recommended font sizes: 72 points for the poster title, 40 points for headings and 32 points for body text.
• White space — Leave plenty of empty space around text and images to prevent the poster from looking cluttered.
• Headings — Format headings so they stand out from body text. Examples include using bold type, a different color or all caps.
• Visuals — Use figures, graphs and tables when appropriate. Avoid dense text.
• Captions — Each visual should have a clear, concise caption explaining what it shows.

Students are encouraged to meet with their mentor at least two or three times leading up to the event.

As an expert in the subject matter, the faculty mentor:

• Helps the student stay aware of the expectations of the field. For instance, what are standard components that are expected in a Chemistry project? What is the citation format for a Communications project? Etc.
• Helps the student stay on track with the expectations of the showcase. Ensures the student is referencing the correct guidelines, templates, and resources. Checks that they are meeting deadlines.
• Provides feedback on the project's overall content, formatting, and organization.
• Coaches the student to hone their presentation skills.
• Signs the students’ official certificate of achievement. Mentors are also encouraged to be present to support their students at the showcase. 

MCC students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend, as well as students’ friends and family.

Students who present at the event will receive a certificate of participation. They will also receive a special graduation cord to signify their achievement and wear when they graduate from MCC.

Students presenting poster projects should dress in professional attire. Dramatic performances have the option to use costumes, if desired. Contact the MCC-Maple Woods Career Center or your faculty mentor for further guidance and resources on dress code.

Presenting students must attend the entire event, including set-up and tear down time. Students will also have an opportunity to rehearse their presentation or performance with their faculty mentor before the event.

Library

Learning Resources Building, 2nd Floor

Our reference librarians can help with research, citations, and how to navigate scholarly databases with confidence. Visit the library or schedule a virtual appointment with a librarian today!

Learning Center

Math-Science Building Room 121 & Humanities Building Room 105

The Math-Science Lab is a resource for developing charts, tables, graphs, and other data representation on your poster.

The Reading & Writing Lab can assist with proof-reading posters, essays, short stories, or other writing projects you would like to present at the showcase.

Career Center

Administration Building, Room 115

Unsure how to dress in “professional attire?” Our Career Center can provide guidance and resources for students on a budget.