There are two parts to your presentation, the first being visits to your Congressperson and Senators and the second being your actual poster presentation.

Visits to your Congressperson and Senators

1. BE FLEXIBLE. Arrive on time, but be prepared to wait. You may be asked if you can reschedule the meeting. You may even find that your meeting has been cancelled and you will be asked to meet with an aide instead of your Representative. The reason is that there can be unexpected changes in the Congressional schedule, including sudden key floor votes. Congresspersons do want to meet with their constituents such as you, and they are interested in your viewpoints. Also remember that Congressional aides are extremely knowledgeable and have the time to listen to your concerns, so do not be disappointed if your meeting is with them.
2. If the DC meeting does not work out, it is also possible to reschedule a meeting with your Congressperson in his or her home office, or you can invite your representative to your campus to see your research first-hand.
3. BE ORGANIZED, and remember your mission. STAY ON MESSAGE. You will only have 15-20 minutes at the most, and you will want to achieve more than a photo-op.
4. SET THE STAGE quickly by introducing yourself, your school, and CUR. Hand out the brochure on CUR and any that you bring about your school.
5. SAY WHY YOU ARE THERE --- to convey the importance of undergraduate research in science and technology. Go through the substantive issues. It is best to ask for something, e.g., funding for undergraduate research through programs at NSF. You may also ask your Representative how he or she voted on a particular issue related to undergraduate research education. Distribute the student petition as a way of reinforcing your points.
6. BE SURE THAT YOU MENTION THE NAME OF ANY FEDERAL SOURCE OF FUNDING that your project has received.
7. RE-INVITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR AND STAFFERS TO THE CAPITOL HILL POSTER SESSION, and tell them how much you look forward to seeing them there in the afternoon. Try to get a firm commitment. Leave behind another invitation, which we have prepared for you.
8. THANK THEM for their time and for serving you, and be sure to thank them for supporting research and education.

Poster Presentation

CUR has published a brief discussion on how to do an undergraduate poster presentation; a copy of it has been posted on our website for Student Poster Sessions on Capitol Hill and in your State Capital. Most of the preparation comes before you have arrived ---- clear layout of your material, and practice in talking about it. Other tips:

1. Be on time in setting up your poster.
2. Photos will be taken by CUR, and often by the Congressional offices. You may also want to bring your own camera; CUR will not be able to photograph every exhibit and will not be able to forward copies to you (although you may download those we use on our website).
3. As with the office meetings, do not be too disappointed if your Representatives do not show. Your work will still be seen by many policymakers, faculty, and your student colleagues. We are inviting federal agency representatives who actually fund undergraduate research --- it is important for them to see the results in order to want to continue these programs. We are also inviting some science reporters. Take time with everyone who appears; you never know who they are.
4. The people who visit your poster may be more curious about YOU than the science. Be prepared to talk about your background and future plans in science.
5. Remember that you know more about your research than any of the visitors, even professors. This should give you confidence to convey your ideas. But don’t forget that all research raises more questions than are answered, so be prepared for questions that you cannot answer. Think of ways that future research might address some of these questions.
6. Take time to look at the posters of your fellow students, but keep an eye out for visitors to your own poster so that you do not miss them.
7. Have a good time. You have earned it.

Program & Additional Information Congressional Office Visits Core Messages for Students Faculty Mentor Talking Points Your Presentation Posters on the Hill Main Page