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Symposium: Student FAQs

  • Symposium: Student FAQs

General symposium information

What is the Undergraduate Symposium? Accordion Closed

The annual Undergraduate Symposium is a campus-wide celebration of student achievement. Hundreds of students from all colleges will come together to share their creative discoveries and present in-depth research and scholarly work to their peers, professors, and the University and Flagstaff communities.

Who should attend? Accordion Closed

The Symposium is open to everyone to present and attend.

What is the date, time, and location of the Symposium? Accordion Closed

The Symposium will occur April 45, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MST) in the High Country Conference Center (building 58). Convert to your local time.

What kind of presentations are at the Symposium? Accordion Closed

Students from all disciplines across the university present their work in the form of research posters, oral presentations, exhibits, or art work.

Does the Symposium have any visual and performing arts presentations? Accordion Closed

Yes! Visual and performing arts students can participate in the symposium.

How much do I need to pay to attend the Symposium? Accordion Closed

The symposium is free of cost.

Can I attend if I am not presenting? Accordion Closed

Most definitely! We would love to see you there. Come and enjoy all of the work that students from across the university will be presenting or simply come to see what all the talk is about. There is so much to see, bring a friend and enjoy!

Symposium registration

As a presenter, do I need to register for the Symposium? Accordion Closed

Yes, all presenters are required to register in advance of the conference. Presenters must register by March 21st.

You will need the following information to register:

  • project title
  • project abstract, summary, or creative statement (maximum 250 words)
  • name(s) and email(s) of any co-presenters/collaborators
  • name and email of faculty mentor
  • presentation type
  • College/department or program for which you will be presenting (may not be the same as your major)
  • preferred presentation time (am or pm)
  • Class for which you are presenting (if applicable)
  • Any funding sources for your project (if applicable)
  • any special requirements (i.e., table, electricity, floor space)

Please note: All oral presentations will have access to a projector and computer. Electricity will not be provided for laptops.

In addition to registering, what else am I required to do? Accordion Closed

Poster and oral presenters are recommended to upload a video of their presentation.

  • PDF: How to upload your poster PDF and video

All posters and videos must be uploaded by April 17, 2026, 11:59 pm.

How do I make changes to or cancel my registration? Accordion Closed

You can make registration changes directly through the registration link. Sign into the account you created during registration and look for the tab labeled “Applications”. You will find your application and you may edit your registration.

If you need to cancel your registration, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity directly at ug-research@nau.edu to inform us of your cancellation.

I am not sure how to write a project abstract. Where can I get help? Accordion Closed

Your mentor is most likely an expert at preparing abstracts, so it is best to start by reaching out to them for help.  You can also find thousands of project abstract examples online. One recommended site is the NCUR Proceedings  where you can search through a number of undergraduate abstracts that have been accepted for presentation. Our office also has a video on how to create an abstract!

I am working on more than one research or creative project. Can I present more than one project? Accordion Closed

Yes, you can present more than one project. You will need to register separately for each project.

I am required to present as part of a class. How can I let my professor know that I have registered? Accordion Closed

When you register, there is a question on the first page where you will input your faculty mentor’s name and email. Once you’ve completed the application, your faculty mentor will receive a confirmation email that you registered.

I missed the registration deadline. Can I still present at the symposium? Accordion Closed

Unfortunately, no. Registration is open for six weeks allowing plenty of time to register. If you miss the deadline, you will need to wait until next year to present.

Does NAU and the Symposium require a final paper submission? Accordion Closed

The Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity does not require a final paper submission. Your presentation is your final product. We require presenters to upload a final presentation by April 17, 2026. Poster presenters must upload a PDF of their poster and a five minute video. Oral presenters are recommended to upload a video of their presentation. This material, along with the full abstract and information about the authors, becomes part of the website conference materials.

If you are participating as part of a class requirement, your professor may require a final paper related to your presentation.

Preparing for the Symposium

I am not sure what to include in my presentation. Are there templates or resources available to help? Accordion Closed

Yes, we have templates for poster design and guidelines for oral presentations. You can use these templates to help guide you, but also feel free to get creative with your presentations.

How do I find out when I am scheduled to present? Accordion Closed

Log in to the portal to check on your assignment.

By what date should I have my poster printed? Accordion Closed

If you are printing your poster on campus, it will need to be turned in to the designated person for your department no later than April 17.

May I provide handouts or other materials for my presentation? Accordion Closed

Yes. You are responsible for making and distributing these materials.

What formats can be used for my oral presentation? Accordion Closed

You can use whatever format works best for you to present your work.

When is the last possible date I can submit changes to my presentation information? Accordion Closed

Given that you registered by the deadline, the final date presenters can edit abstracts, upload  poster presentations, videos, or any other presentation materials to their project titles is Friday April 17, 2026, 11:59 pm. Any changes submitted after that date will not be included in the Symposium Program.

Uploading a presentation in OpenWater

How do I upload my presentation to the OpenWater website for others to access? Accordion Closed

If you are presenting a poster, you are required to upload a PDF of your poster. Once completed, the collection of presentations is published on our website as part of the symposium proceedings and made available to other symposium attendees and viewers of our webpage.

Uploading a presentation in OpenWater

How do we present with partners in different states? Accordion Closed

You will need to coordinate with your partner on the preparation for the presentation. We recommend using Google Drive to work on a poster together. For a video pitch or oral presentation, we recommend searching for a free video creation software, such as Powtoon: Video Presentation Builder, which allows you to easily edit presentations and videos.

Does NAU provide laptops for presenters to use? Accordion Closed

If you are on campus, you can check out laptops from the Cline Library. If you are not on campus and need a laptop, we suggest asking your local library or check other places in your town.

Day of the event

When do I hang up and take down my poster? Accordion Closed

Hang up times

For those presenting in Session 1, 8:30-10:00 am:

  • 7:30–8:20 a.m.

For those presenting in Session 2, 10:30 am-12:00 pm:

  •  10–10:20 a.m.

For those presenting in Session 3, 12:30-2:00 pm:

  • 12–12:20 p.m.

For those presenting in Session 4, 2:30-4:00 pm: 

  • 2-2:20 p.m.

If you have a large project that requires more time to set up, please email us at ug-research@nau.edu. We will designate a place for you to setup on Friday from 7:30-8:20 am. For anyone setting up a large project, you will be able to load and unload at the south end of the High Country Conference Center on Friday morning.

Take down times

For those presenting posters, you will take your poster with you when you leave at the end of your session. You are expected to stay until your session ends.

Large exhibits will need also need to be removed at the end of each session.

How will I present my poster? Accordion Closed

You will be standing next to your poster during your assigned time. Visitors will be walking around and will stop by to talk with you about your research project. Be prepared to respond to, “Tell me about your project/research.” Keep it short and cover three topics: what you’re researching, your findings, and their significance.

What should I wear? Accordion Closed

Dress should be professional. Remember that this is a wonderful networking opportunity and take advantage of the time to get to know other people in your field.

What should I bring? Accordion Closed

All you really need is your poster presentation! We will provide velcro and a place to hang your poster.

It’s a good idea to bring a water bottle, fliers or handouts for your materials, a backup of your oral presentation, your phone, and wallet.

Can I invite friends, family, and professors to check out the symposium? Accordion Closed

Yes! The more the merrier. Please invite anyone you feel would like to see what students have been working on throughout the year.

Who will be reviewing my presentation? Accordion Closed

All presenters will have faculty, staff, and/or community reviewers visit you during your presentation time. They will provide constructive feedback via our online system.

After the event

When will I receive feedback on my project?  How will it be sent to me? Accordion Closed

The feedback will be available the Monday after the event. Your feedback will be available to you via the online portal that you signed up in.

Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity
Location
Room 439 Building 60
Student and Academic Services
1100 South Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5801
Mailing Address
PO Box 5801
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5801
Contact Form
Email
ug-research@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-6656
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