FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Any CU Denver | Anschutz undergraduate student, graduate student, or recent alum. All disciplines are welcome. If you have recently graduated, you may present a research or creative project that you completed while you were a CU Denver student.

Any research or creative project you’ve been involved in. Do you work in a research lab, are you writing a compelling paper in class, developing a research question, want to give a performance, working on a film, or have an art series to showcase? Submit an abstract today! It's ok if your project is still in early stages, RaCAS is an opportunity to get feedback on your work along the way. View past examples from RaCAS 2024.

Additional examples:

• Senior and master's theses
• Capstone projects
• Dissertations
• Original art
• Performances
• Media presentations
• Independent study projects
• Internship activities 

Student presenters can find all details on submission types, requirements, and resources here. 

RaCAS is an in-person event with a virtual showcase. Zoom options are available upon request. All presenters will upload materials to the virtual showcase by the Friday before RaCAS.

1. Poster Presentation: Build a 36" x 48" poster and prepare your 5-minute pitch to talk as people walk by or in a virtual lightning talk. Upload your poster PDF and a 3-minute recording of your talk to the virtual showcase. 
2. Oral Presentation: Prepare a 12-minute presentation with accompanying slides to in front of the RaCAS audience. Upload your presentation slides and a 3-minute overview of your project to the virtual showcase. 
3. Media Exhibit, Performance, or Demonstration: Present your work in the best format for your project. When sending in your abstract, propose an artwork series, a dance exhibit, interactive showcase etc. Be specific about your se-up needs- how much space, extra table, easel with posterboard. Not sure how to present? Reach out to undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu to brainstorm. Upload summary images or website links and a 3-minute overview of your work to the virtual showcase. 

1. Poster presentations are held in an informal 90-minute session which allow for more individualized interactions as attendees walk through the space.
2. Oral presentations are structured into hour-long sessions by topic. Each presenter is given  twelve minutes to present their project followed by three minutes of Q&A. 
3. Media exhibits have great flexibility in their presentation style. Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu to talk through your project and format options. 

When registering with your abstract, provide detailed information about your technology and space needs (e.g. dimensions of set-up, need 2 outlets, need two tables)

Past examples include:

• Sculpture
• Live and recorded music
• Literary readings
• Film 

Email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu with questions.

We have info sessions, workshops, recorded tutorials and more! Have specific questions, email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu or book an advising appointment in Handshake. View events here, and additional resources here.

Great, nominate them for an Undergraduate Mentor of the Year Award when registering with your abstract. If your mentor wins, we will notify you so you can be sure to attend the award ceremony on Friday, April 25, 2025.

What is the President's Sustainable Solutions Challenge? This challenge encourages student-led innovation in sustainability on CU campuses. Students with ideas for sustainability innovations compete for up to $2500 in cash prizes in the following categories: Policy, Society, & Community, Sustainability in our Environment & Technology, and Disparity/Parity in the Arts. View 5-minute instruction video or Instruction Slides.

 

Policy/Society/Community: 

• Practices/Approaches that support long-term economic growth without negatively impacting a community's social, environmental, and cultural aspects.
• Evaluate the impact of activity and devise sustainability goals to create a more livable future.
• Fulfillment of basic human needs regarding the ability to lead a whole life, such as happiness, satisfaction with life, finding meaning, and flourishing.
• Sustainability in health and wellness creates needs for current generations that will not harm future generations.

Sustainability in our Environment & Technology:

• Practices/approaches to support, maintain, and improve future interactions without compromising the future of resources or needs of our environment.
  
• Technology and materials that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
  
• Conserving energy and consumption.
  
• Creating equity in access for broader adoption.

Disparity/Parity in the Arts: 

• Artistic endeavors that are produced with consideration for the broader impact of the work and its reception in relationship to its environments (social, economic, biophysical, historical, and cultural).

Projects will be judged on a scoring system of 1 -5 on the following:

• Clearly explaining the research or work
• Ability to indicate a “better future” from the result of this work
• Ability to measure the impact potential of this work within the category
• Ability to implement findings/practices of the work
• Overall organization of poster or presentation of the work

All presenters will submit materials to the virtual showcase that include summary documents (PDF of their poster, presentation slides, images, or links to website) and a 3-minute video or audio recording of their research by the Friday, before RaCAS, Friday, April 18, 2025. If presenting a poster in-person, you must submit your poster separately for printing by emailing undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu.

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities will print one 36” x 48” poster for you, but you must submit a final version of your poster by 11:59 pm on Friday, April 18, 2025. We will confirm when your poster has been printed. You can pick it up when checking in at RaCAS on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Note: upload to virtual showcase does not send your poster to be printed, it must be emailed.

No, you will upload your poster to the virtual showcase.

You will be assigned a presentation slot by the RaCAS team. Check your email for updates and communication regarding your presentation time. If presenting virtually, you will receive a Zoom link along with your assigned presentation time.

RaCAS is a community celebration! Students will be presenting to CU Denver peers, faculty, staff, administration, family, and friends. Presentations should be tailored to an educated, non-expert audience. Additionally, each presenter will have assigned reviewers who will provide feedback on their projects.

Yes! We encourage you to invite your community to attend in-person or log into the virtual events. You can also share links to the virtual showcase.

Yes, we want to recognize your scholarly achievements! All presenters will be assigned up to 3 reviewers to provide feedback on their presentations. This will include community members both within and outside your field. Encourage your family and friends to vote for People’s Choice on Friday, April 25, 2025.