NF-POGO Centre of Excellence Year 2 Report

presentations were very difficult to prepare, as the Scholars tended to use jargon and/or technicalterms that were not understandable to the non-scientists in the audience. At the same time, theScholars wanted to present enough science to impress the scientists who were present. Mentorsspent considerable time with Scholars helping hone their presentations. In the end, thepresentations were very well received, by scientists and non-scientists; a good learningopportunity.The second oral presentations were given on 20 May 2010, two days before graduation. Thesepresentations were given to BIOS faculty and staff; there was a packed house in attendance.These presentations were modeled after those to be presented at a scientific meeting. Jargon andtechnical terms were allowed, but we encouraged sufficient „background‟ for those in attendancewho were not experts in a given field. The presentations were of a very high caliber and werevery well received by the scientists in attendance.When the Scholars were leaving BIOS at the end of the Programme (see details in Section 2.12)many commented favorably about how they had been taught to modify „the same talk‟; oneformat for the scientific community, another format for the general public. Additionally, theScholars expressed gratitude for these seminars, in part because the seminars had proved to be astrong pedagogical device, but also because many of them had been asked (as was hoped to beasked), to give a seminar when they returned home.Scholars pose with BIOS Board of Trustee members following oral presentations.2.10 NF-POGO Scholars – Final Project ReportsEach Scholar was required to write a final report of their independent project. The format was tobe that of a journal suitable for the research conducted. Reports were turned in to mentors forreview/editing, and then returned to the Scholar to make suggested improvements. Manuscriptswere subjected to multiple revisions. A copy of each report is available as part of this report, seeAppendix 4A – 4J.As Scholars were leaving BIOS to return home, many commented positively during their exitinterviews (Section 2.12) about the final written reports. Several suggested that in future yearsmore time be dedicated to improving writing skills as part of the programme. .12