Quick Guide to Projects

CompChem Main Page

Do's and Don'ts for success:

• Do use appropriate tools
• Do Consider carefully how much computation time you have available and how expensive your project may be. It is not a "failure" if you don't finish your project, but it may seriously cramp your style when you are trying to present.
• Do rehearse your presentation exactly as you want to perform it.
• Do ask for help or advice if you need it.
• Don't pick a project because you think it will look impressive to everyone else!
• Do pick a project because you think it is interesting.... even if it seems relatively simple, or not breaking new ground in research. Not everything has to be of earthshaking importance to the human race! That said, it is important to have a real application for your project, even though it may be an esoteric chemical one! You will have a much better time and do a much better job presenting if you are interested in this.

Presenting Scientific Information

• Who?
  • First rule of presentations: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
  • Think about what common knowledge you can assume
  • Think about their areas of interest
• What?
  • Know your information!
  • Why?
    • Know the goal of your presentation
      • selling a product or idea
      • communicating a discovery
      • presenting a work-in-progress
  • How?
    • Use appropriate tools: PowerPoint, HTML slides
    • Know who will present what part and practice!

  Saving and Finding your Project on the Web

  Make sure that all of the files for your web page (html and graphics) are in one folder on your desktop, named after your project. Make all of your filenames and foldernames one word, all lowercase, and no unusual characters. They should all have an extension, like ".html" or ".gif" after the filename. Don't include MacSpartan files or extraneous files. Make your main html page "index.html".

  This folder will be moved over to the web server after you're done. Tell a presenter when you are sure it's finished so that we can get it on the web as soon as possible!

  Once this is done, you can access your project at
  http://www.shodor.org/succeed/projects/compchem/cchem98/yourfoldernamehere
  OR just go to
  http://www.shodor.org/succeed/projects/compchem
  and navigate the links from there to your project.

  MAKE SURE to proofread your project before you ask us to put it online! Trade folders with another group and get them to check for broken links, extra files, and especially spelling!

  Quick Guide to HTML and Example Presentation Page
  

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  The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.
  Copyright © 1998
  Last Modified:
  Questions or comments about this page should be directed to gotwals@shodor.org

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