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Thinking Matters is a Research Symposium that allows students and faculty to share their work with each other, their colleagues, and the general public.  We encourage research and creative submissions. Students may present their work in a poster or oral presentation format. 

Examples: conducted research, theory papers/posters, analysis of archived/public domain information, lit survey summaries, etc.

Step 1: Submitting and editing your abstract
An abstract is a paragraph (2500 characters/spaces) that provides readers with a quick overview of your essay or report and its organization. It should express your thesis (or central idea) and your key points; it should also suggest any implications or applications of the research you discuss in the paper. Please check spelling and grammar! The USM Library has a lot of resources, below.

Please choose either an oral or a poster presentation. If you are part of multiple presentations, please be primary author on only one. One presentation per abstract helps with limited physical space and scheduling conflicts. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Google Form – After filling out the Google form you will receive an email with a link to the submitted form. The form can be edited and resubmitted prior to the due date. After that date, a reviewer will be assigned to your abstract. Once initial review is completed, you and your Project Mentor will be added to the Google doc (you will receive an email when added) to review the comments and make edits. Sample of abstract submission form

Step 2: Create your Poster or Oral presentation presentation

Step 3: Present at Thinking Matters live event

Step 4: Upload your abstract and poster to USM’s Digital Commons

Prepare to Present

Writing Abstracts (external link)

Poster Design Manual (external pdf)

Poster Design Tips (external link)

PowerPoint Poster template (download ppt)

10 Simple Rules for Make Good presentations (external link)

Poster guidelines (external link)

Google Slides for Posters:

To set the size, under File>Page Setup, select Custom and enter 48” x 36” inches and Apply.

Rework any content that is necessary to fit and look correct.

When done, under File>Print settings and preview, check that the file looks correct.

If so, select Download as PDF and Save File. An alternative is to select File>Download>PDF document (.pdf) but there will not be the opportunity to preview before creating the file.

Open the saved file to double-check the conversion worked as expected and that the dimensions were retained. If so, view the contents at 100% to see if the quality of text, graphs, images is what you intend.

Research with human subjects or vertebrate animals should have board approval. Your project mentor is there to help! Contact the Office of Research Integrity and Outreach (ORIO) usmorio@maine.edu