NATS3044 Complex Case Studies in Science

Proposal Question - How can we improve the bioavailability of antioxidants in Australian native fruits to get the most benefits out of them?

Fruit name - Illawarra plum

The Project Pitch (Individual) and the Proposal Presentation (Group)

A quick reminder about what this subject is about. In this subject you will work within a group to provide a solution to a complex problem, with guidance from the lead academic for each case. In the first two workshops you will develop your idea on how to solve your complex problem through discussion and critical thinking with other students. Your ability to work in teams to find innovative and sustainable solutions to complex problems is an important professional skill.

The group assessment (10%) is a recorded proposal describing the methodology and approach that you and your group are starting to explore. This assessment has a maximum of 5 slides and a maximum duration of 10 minutes (note that there is no minimum number of slides or minimum duration of the presentation). All group members must be named in the first slide, and the contribution of each group member to the presentation must be included. Note: the exact contribution of each member of the group to presentation can vary between groups: a contribution can include designing the presentation or narrating the presentation, or a combination of these

In the project proposal you will be assessed on:

1. Teamwork (3 marks). You need to demonstrate that your group has worked collaboratively to complete this task.
2. Content (4 marks). Well organized with minimal text, clearly focused describing the problem, and suggesting and a proposed solution (remember to highlight innovation and sustainability). Rely on clear figures and your spoken text to highlight the key parts of a figure: remember that if you have lots of text your audience will be reading your slides and not listening to you.
3. Creativity (3 marks). The presentation should be highly imaginative and effective in conveying ideas to the audience.

What is creativity in a presentation? Creativity is the use of images that effectively convey ideas and is well combined with your spoken text. Think about your complex problem and your proposed solution: remember that a complex problem has many components and solutions, so you will need to effectively identify what part of the problem you are targeting, and how you propose to solve this. How might you apply images to show this?.

Creativity is also about the use of colour in a presentation, establishing a clear and consistent format for each slide, and considering how to transition between your slides. Creativity does not imply lots of animation and very bright colours! Don’t crowd your presentation, often, less if more!

“there are two basic rules for a great PowerPoint presentation. It must be visually engaging, and it must be clear”

The individual assessment (15%) is a written one-page Project Pitch. As per the learning guide it has a defined format:

1. Title (1 mark). The title will identify the case, and the name of the author
2. State the Problem (5 marks). This section will concisely describe the case and problem to be solved. Be sure to consider the importance of the problem and why it needs to be solved.
3. Introduce the Solution (6 marks). The proposed solution to the problem will be concisely de-scribed, identify the most important part of the problem and focus on this
4. Make your pitch (3 marks). In 2-3 sentences summarise the problem and your proposed solution to the problem (remember to highlight innovation and sustainability).

The pitch is the final part of the written assessment and should persuade your audience that you have a valuable idea that can address your specific complex problem.

What is a “pitch”? This asks you to identify the “selling point” of what you are describing. Remember, innovation and sustainability are key parts of what you are proposing. Think about:

1. What is “innovative” about my proposed solution? Is it a novel application of an existing method or technology, or is it a new method or a modification of an existing method? Re-purposing of existing therapeutic drugs to treat a disease not previously targeted by a specific drug is becoming increasingly important in healthcare. To do this you would need to identify the disease you are studying, understand key biological pathways, and then search the mechanism of action of existing drugs. Another example is how ubiquitous drones have become in farming applications to monitor water levels in dams or the location and safety of livestock.
2. Is my solution sustainable? Review the UN Sustainable Development Goals: for example, does your solution have a positive impact on the natural environment, improve health outcomes of disadvantaged communities or individuals, or increase equitable access to technology and education?

Therefore, when writing your pitch, consider “The idea is innovative because…; it is sustainable because…”

In summary:

1. Your group will deliver a clear, concise, and engaging presentation describing your proposed solution.
2. Your individual written pitch shows your understanding of the proposed solution and its significance.

In both assessments, be sure to consider innovation and sustainability