1) choosing the classic paper; 2) reading the paper and related articles that may be posted on Bb; 3) finding and

comprehending other sources of important background information such as textbook passages,
other primary or secondary scientific literature, authoritative websites, discussions with your Lab
Instructor, etc.; 4) finding a recent paper (published within the last 5 years) related to the classic
paper; 5) deciding what aspects of the two papers should be covered in the talk; 6) composing the
PowerPoint presentation; 7) delivering the presentation to the class; and 8) facilitating the Q&A
and discussion session that will follow your talk. Obviously, the actual presentation and ensuing
discussion will provide the only visible evidence of each students participation, so these parts
should be shared. How each group does this is the choice of the group. For example, students
could present the major parts of the presentation (introduction, methods, results, discussion)
alternately, or divide the presentation roughly into thirds. All should lead the Q&A session.
C. Logistics
Each presentation should take approximately 15 minutes (~5 minutes/person), with an
additional few minutes for discussion, questions, and answers. All presentations should be
prepared with Microsoft PowerPoint. Presentations will be delivered via the A/V system in the lab
room. This system consists of a PC-type computer connected via a VGA cable to the ceiling-
mounted projector. The computer has internet access, and there are connecting ports for flash
memory drives and external VGA signals from laptops. Other PC-type laptops should be fully
compatible, using the VGA cable available in the lab.
With many presentations to be given during the lab period, each group must be ready to go
on time. So, get to lab early! Each group MUST upload their presentation to the lab section
Blackboard site before coming to lab. The presentation files should be uploaded under the same
thread where you posted your classic and recent paper choices. All presentations will be accessed
through Blackboard.
Be aware that strange things sometimes happen to PowerPoint presentations when they are
composed on one computer and given on another. This happens more often when a Mac-
composed presentation is given on a PC. If your presentation contains associated image, sound, or
video files, be sure that all these files are in the same folder as your presentation file. Try to use
common fonts and symbols; sometimes these randomly change when you switch computers. The
best advice is to test the final draft of your presentation on some other PC. This will usually reveal
glitches.

D. Content and Format

A great deal has been written on how to use PowerPoint, and how not to use it. Google and
similar search engines will lead you to the innumerable websites and video clips that offer
free advice. Try searching for effective PowerPoint presentations. Here are a few tips:
Think about PowerPoint presentations you have seen. What made the good ones effective
and interesting? What made the bad ones (doubtlessly more numerous) ineffective and
boring?
Use an appropriate number of slides. Five to ten slides would be appropriate, depending on
content.
Avoid text-heavy slides, especially with bulleted points. Your audience will either: a) read
the text and pay no attention to what you are saying, or b) go glassy-eyed and tune you out
completely. If you must have text on your slides, keep it brief and dont simply read it.
Time-honored advice for any talk is to tell your audience what youre going to tell them,
then tell them, and then tell them what you just told them. Outlines presented at the start,
and repeated at the middle and end, can help let your audience know whats coming up,
where you are now, and what points you just covered.
Be sure that your figures and text are large enough to be easily seen at the back of the room.
Avoid elaborate animations and slide transitions. Most often, they are merely distracting.
When you use a figure (graph, table, photograph, etc.) from another source, credit that
source. This is most easily done in a small text legend below or next to the object you
borrowed. Acrobat Reader and other PDF readers have tools to copy portions of
documents to the clipboard, so you can paste tables and figures into your slides. To copy
images from websites (using a PC), place the cursor over the image, right-click, and select
Copy Image or Save Image As.
Feel free to use notes on paper or index cards if you wish. We are more concerned with
content than style. Practice your talk, and then practice it again.
Make a conscious effort to avoid interjections such as uh, um, er when you speak.
Do not stand in front of the screen unless you are physically pointing to something, and even
then, do so only briefly. No one wants to read the slides off your stomach, and you will
likely be squinting in the bright light.

Slide 1 Title

High Altitude Adaptation
Classic + Recent Study
Your name

Slide 2 Overview

High altitude problem
Classic study
Recent study
Comparison

Slide 3 The Problem

Low oxygen at altitude
Why it matters

Slide 4 Classic Paper: Purpose

What Houston & Riley studied
Main question

Slide 5 Classic Paper: Methods

Altitude chamber
Controlled conditions

Slide 6 Classic Paper: Key Results

Increased ventilation
Blood changes
Oxygen transport

Slide 7 Classic Paper: Key Concept

Integrated adaptation system

Slide 8 Recent Article: Purpose

What the newer study investigates
How it builds on the original

Slide 9 Recent Article: Methods

Type of study (athletes, natives, etc.)
What was measured

Slide 10 Recent Article: Results

Key findings
New insights

Slide 11 Comparison

Similarities:
- (e.g., oxygen adaptation mechanisms)
Differences:
- (e.g., modern techniques, new conclusions)

Slide 12 Real Life Example: La Paz (Bolivia)

Extreme altitude
Poor performance for visitors

Slide 13 Real Life Example: Denver

Moderate altitude
Smaller but real effect

Slide 14 Significance

Why both studies matter
Applications

Slide 15 Follow-Up Experiments

What could be tested next
Whats still unknown

Q&A SECTION

Slide 16 Question 1

Question:

Slide 17 Answer 1

Answer:

Slide 18 Question 2

Question:

Slide 19 Answer 2

Answer:

WRITE MY PAPER

Making a presentation