Official Competition Rules

​I. Purpose

The High School 3MT Competition challenges students to present their research, inquiry, or creative work clearly, concisely, and engagingly to a non-specialist audience using only one static slide in three minutes or less.

• All disciplines are welcome: STEM, humanities, social sciences, arts, business, and more.

• The aim is to showcase excellent, accessible communication across all high school academic fields.

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II. Eligibility

• Age: Participants must be 14–18 years old on the competition’s close date.

• Enrollment: Entrants must currently attend high school (grades 9–12 or equivalent).

• Type of Work: Research—not simple class reports or personal stories. Projects must show an original question, process, or investigation.

• Solo Entries: Only one presenter per entry. No teams.

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III. Presentation Rules

• Time Limit: Maximum length is three minutes. Over-time entries are disqualified.

• Slide Policy: Only one static slide allowed (.ppt, .pptx, or PDF).

  • No transitions, animations, or any motion.

  • Slide must be visible throughout the talk.

• No Media/Props:

  • No additional video, audio, extra slides, costumes, props, or other objects.

• Delivery:

  • Spoken word only—no poems, raps, or songs. Quoting a line for context is allowed, but not entire performances.

  • No cue cards, notes, or scripts; talks must be memorized.

• Commencement: Timer starts at the speaker’s first word or movement.

• Presence: Speaker must remain in view for the entire presentation; no one else may appear or assist.

• No Editing: Only simple trimming of the video’s start and end is allowed. No music, visual effects, or audio enhancements.

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IV. Judging Criteria

Each judge will score entries based on three equally weighted criteria:

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V. Disqualification

An entry will be disqualified for any of the following:

• Exceeding three minutes.

• Use of more than one slide, animations, or transitions.

• Use of props, audio/video files, cue cards, or scripts.

• Reciting a poem, song, or rap performance.

• Getting help from others or not meeting originality/content rules.

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VI. Procedures

• Submission Overview: All students must fill out the Google Form for entry submission by the deadline.

• Slide Submission: Slides must be sent in .ppt, .pptx, or PDF format, along with the video.

• Video Requirements: Presentation is to be recorded using Zoom (see instructions on the “Record & Upload Guidelines” page).

• Uploading: Video must be uploaded to the drop box on the submission form.

• Judging: Judges, balanced between experts and non-experts, will review the videos.

• Prizes: Grand prize of $1000 will be given for first place. 

• Finality: All judges’ decisions are final.

• Code of Conduct: Respectful behavior is required from all participants. Plagiarism or misrepresentation will result in disqualification.​

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Note: All presentations must comply with contest rules, including the use of only one static slide, no editing except starting/ending trim, and no audio/video enhancements. Videos must replicate a live presentation as closely as possible.