Title: Instructions for teamwork task
Course: Rare Earth Elements value chain gaps and opportunities in the ADRIA region > Section: TEAM WORK

Each team of four person has to write a scientific essay and prepare presentation on a topic which members of the team have chosen. Template for the essay and presentation are attached. An oral presentation with submission of written scientific essay and presentation in MOD system, as well as positive evaluation of those is a condition for obtaining a certificate and 1 ECTS.

SCIENTIFIC ESSAY

A scientific essay is a shorter research work on a selected topic that addresses a specific problem. Beside facts, students must provide discussion and conclusion, as well as their views or recommendations.

Before writing the scientific essay, it is necessary to search and study different sources of information to find appropriate references. Sources of information can be: (1) scientific publications (original and overview articles in scientific journals, scientific book, proceedings from scientific meetings), (2) classification theses (eg. dissertations, master theses), (3) web pages of prominent scientific or professional organisations.

What makes a scientific essay good?

Make it precise: Accuracy is crucial in scientific essay writing. The writer must capture detailed information. A scientific paper must be objective, thorough, and use the exact language.

Provide clarity: The reader should not struggle to understand what the writer meant. All information provided should be clear. The complex terms used should be explained. To make information clear, use tables, charts, figures, and images.

Well organized: The essay includes the main structure - introduction, body, and conclusion and it should be written in a prose style. It must contain clear sentences and paragraphs. The information should flow flawlessly from one point to the next. In the introduction, the topic of the scientific essay is introduced, and one or more hypotheses or goals are defined. In the conclusion, the most important conclusions from the elaboration chapter are presented, as well as end view of the hypotheses or goals stated in the introduction.

Note 1: It is not allowed to write same texts or parts of texts from the literature you use. Each sentence in a scientific essay must be the result of the student's own reflection on the topic he is working on. Literature is only a theoretical background that you use to gain insight into a specific issue and that serves you to formulate your own views on a specific topic.

Note 2: The essay should have 3000 +/- 500 words (6+/-1 pages). It should be written in the provided template in doc. or docx. format

PRESENTATION

Follow these tips to help you create a presentation:

1. Keep your presentation simple

When putting your presentation together, remember that simpler is better. Follow the “10-20-30” rule, which is to use 10 or fewer slides, keep your presentation under 20 minutes and use at least 30-point font. This helps ensure your presentation is clear, crisp and to the point. You should also try and keep your main ideas to three or fewer key points. Mention them at the beginning and end of your presentation to ensure the audience remembers the most important message.

2. Start strong and tell stories

To capture your audience's attention throughout the presentation, it can be helpful to craft a strong, engaging beginning. However you decide to start your presentation, make sure that it is relevant to your presentation and supports the main message you want your audience to remember at the end. Here are a few ways you can do this:

Ø  Present an interesting question, problem or anecdote.

Ø  Quote an influential or interesting person.

Ø  Share a story that leads to the main topic of your presentation.

Ø  Show an interesting statistic, chart or image.

Ø  Play a brief video that sets up your presentation.

Ø  Make a statement that generates curiosity or shocks the audience.

3. Use visuals

If a concept can be supported or more easily explained with a visual aid, use them in your presentation. While you will likely have slides that will support your presentation visually, it can also help to have infographics, charts, photographs, videos, drawings or renderings.

4. Prepare and practice

Make a test run. Be sure to practice but not memorize your speech. If you memorize every line of your presentation, it can be easy to get off track when you are nervous or forget a word or two. Instead, prepare simple talking points that can direct your presentation. Speak openly and be confident in your knowledge on the subject.

Note: The presentation should be prepared on the provided template in ppt. or pptx. format.