Preparing your project, display and self for Ingenuity requires hard work, planning and a lot of practice. As a student exhibitor, we aim to support you along the way.
Ingenuity marks a significant milestone in your studies. It is a fantastic opportunity to display your hard work to a range of audiences, practice your communication skills and celebrate your achievements.
In 2018, we welcomed over 5,000 attendees including academic staff and supervisors from the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences (ECMS), other University of Adelaide staff, industry and government representatives, prospective students and the general community.
Exhibitor tips
Build your display
Your group will be allocated a space to showcase its project. A sign across the top will display the project’s slogan/tag line and stand number, helping you to locate it when you arrive to set up. Stands vary in size depending on each group’s requirements. For special requests (e.g. water, compressed air, three-phase power), please contact your school’s event coordinator as it may impact the location of your stand in the expo hall. Think about the aim of your project and what you need to best display it, whether it be a scale model, simulation or diagram.
Perfect your elevator pitch
Considering the aim of your project and how to display it will help you develop your “elevator pitch”. Explain your project in one sentence and use this to intrigue your audience, invite questions, and show why your work is important. This will prepare you for speaking with industry, school students and judges. Avoid using jargon or technical terms until you have determined your audience’s level of knowledge.
Practise your presentation
Take time to practise your presentation before the event, especially with people without a background in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). If they can understand your project, you will be well-prepared.
Make the most of your audience
Ingenuity is an invaluable professional development opportunity. Presenting your project will develop your communication skills and prepare you for job interviews and your future career. The industry presence gives you a great opportunity for networking and making contacts—students have received job offers as a direct result of Ingenuity in the past.
Be approachable
Communication consists of both verbal and non-verbal elements. To enhance your presentation, consider ways in which to make it more engaging, such as positioning yourself in front of your table to make it easier for people to start a conversation with you. Avoid hiding behind your desk, computer or smartphone, or sitting around with your friends on the floor at your display.
Prepare for assessment and judging
Assessment of projects is part of Ingenuity for some of our schools. Your school’s event coordinator will give you more information on the assessment process. On a faculty level, there will be judging for overall prizes within four categories, including communication, innovation, social impact, and people’s choice.
Keep in touch
The Faculty of ECMS Marketing, Engagement and Recruitment team and the school’s event representatives are here to support you through Ingenuity. All exhibitors will receive informative communications leading up to the event. For further queries, please contact your school’s event coordinator in the first instance.
Event Coordinator
- Faculty of ECMS - Wee-Ching Kong
School Event Coordinators
- Australian School of Petroleum: Mary Gonzalez
- Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering: Bec Francis
- Chemical Engineering: Dr Jason Connor
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering: Dr Hong Gunn Chew
- Mechanical Engineering: Dr Will Robertson
- Computer Science: Dr Mojgan Pourhassan
- Mathematical Sciences: Dr Raymond Vozzo
Feedback
Your feedback will help us plan future Ingenuity events and identify areas that need improvement.