Having demonstrated their expertise of their chosen topic by completing their research report, each Change Project team is now ready to present their findings to their fellow freshmen. Formal presentations will take place at a site worthy of the occasion such as Norse Hall or Valhalla .
One team member will present each of the following sections:
A. Background: After an introduction of team members and their topic the topic selection process is summarized. Topics considered and how the team’s final topic was ultimately chosen is explained. From this point this section involves the same content as the Background in the Research report, that is, the history of the problem and its extent beyond our community .
The Background should take at least two minutes and an introduction of the next speaker allows a smooth transition.
B. Discussion: This section involves the same content as the Discussion in the Research report including all the hard facts and data relevant to the topic as it affects our community at the present time . The discussion should take at least two minutes and an introduction of the next speaker allows a smooth transition.
C. Service project: A full description of the service project is given here making sure to mention the contribution of everyone involved. The duration and the impact of the service project should be explained here.
The service project should take at least two minutes and an introduction of the next speaker allows a smooth transition.
D. Summary: As the presentation winds down the challenges the team faced and how they were overcome will be described. Key ideas, both facts and lessons learned throughout the project will be summarized. The team’s recommendations of what individuals and society as a whole should do to make further positive change are then given. This would also be an appropriate time to give thanks to anyone who assisted the team in completing the project. The conclusion should take at least two minutes and thanking the audience and asking if there are any questions allows for a smooth transition. As time allows, questions will then be directed to every member of the team and not necessarily based on the section that they covered.

Formal presentations will last at least eight minutes but not more than twelve . Time cues will be visually provided at the fifth minute and every minute thereafter. Teams not meeting their time requirement will have to repeat the formal presentation at a later date as will individual freshmen not meeting the minimum duration of their section.
Public speaking involves many skills beginning with maintaining eye contact with the audience. Small note cards may be discretely used for cues but must not be read or distract the presenter or the audience.
Presenters should speak without pause and loud enough so that the entire audience can hear them clearly. If a mistake is made then they should try to move on with minimum hesitation . Presenters should maintain good posture and a pleasant demeanor. Freshmen will dress professionally and conservatively as they might for a job interview in the not too distant future.
Information and supporting images will be shown to the audience in the form of a Power point presentation with at least two slides per section . Such images include site maps, photographs taken over the course of the service project, and visuals including at least one line graph that provide data to support the team’s claims. Each image should be referred to directly during the presentation have a caption that explains it’s meaning
(See Appendix 3, page 23-24 for formal presentation rubric).
Teams will also prepare an attractive 3-panel display board . The display board will contain the best information, visuals, and images from their presentation logically and attractively arranged. Information could be divided into sections such as a summary of the problem , what the team did to make a change, and what others could do . This display board will be shown during the presentation and at the open house (See Appendix 3, page 25 for display board rubric).
Obviously, a lot of practice is necessary to ensure a smooth presentation. Freshmen will first learn their section and once they become comfortable they will practice the whole presentation with their team, working on transitions and interacting with their Power point presentation.
Finally, teams will sign up for a practice presentation with their teachers so they can receive recommendations for further improvement. If a student cannot be present for Formal presentations they must inform their team as soon as possible so the remaining team members can reorganize their presentation accordingly. Students not presenting on their team’s assigned day for any reason will present in their teacher’s classroom the week after formal presentations.