Presentations

We are nearing the time for our first project presentations. Most of the Nesters are still in the midst of their first projects but a few are finishing up. During the past few weeks, we have been talking about successful presentation skills. We are focusing on both effectively communicating information and becoming active audience members. The presentation skills matrix we are using encourages students to ask questions of their audience, use their voice to emphasize ideas, show visual clues, maintain eye contact and stay focused on the topic. There is a lot to remember when presenting a project, but after all the hard work of researching and formatting the information, is it worth the extra effort!

The audience members are also active participants in each presentation. The audience is expected to comment and critique the work. Some questions you might hear are... Why did you choose this subject? What challenges did you face when working on the project? Does this work lead you to another idea for your next project?

Students often suggest ways in which the presentation could be enhanced with more facts, aesthetic changes or a more focused topic. The Falcon Nest community atmosphere allows for these conversations to occur without hurt feelings or personal attacks. Our one big rule in FN is that we respect each other at all times! I am always amazed at the thoughtfulness, tact and support the kids show one another. They create an environment where learning is fun, safe and engaging.