Teams have the option to bring materials to set up an “interactive display” at the showcase. To help us prepare for the showcase, teams must share a brief description of their display in the showcase registration form (due March 8).
Please review the guidance below to learn more about interactive displays and consider whether this option makes sense for your team. Please also review our full showcase guidance and direct additional questions to Meghan O’Neil.
- What is an interactive display?
- Can my team have both a research poster and an interactive display at the showcase?
- What is the standard size of an interactive display?
- Will my team have access to power for our interactive display?
- Does Bass Connections supply audiovisual or other equipment for interactive displays at the showcase?
- Can I see examples of interactive displays from previous showcases?
- Are there awards for interactive displays at the showcase?
What is an interactive display?
Interactive displays are small-scale, portable exhibits of a team’s work. Displays can take a number of forms, but all displays should creatively communicate a team’s research in an interactive, hands-on manner.
Examples of interactive displays include (but are not limited to):
- tablets that allow showcase guests to interact with an application, digital exhibit or digital tools
- prototypes or models that you want guests to be able to interact with in person
- virtual reality gear that allows guests to experience a computer-generated environment
- printed pamphlets or infographics that you’d like guests to be able to pick up and take with them
- microscopes (or other small, portable lab equipment) and samples
- works of art and/or materials
Can my team have both a research poster and an interactive display at the showcase?
No. Due to space constraints in Penn Pavilion, teams must choose to present either a research poster or an interactive display, not both.
What is the standard size of an interactive display?
All interactive displays must fit on (or in the equivalent space of) one eight-foot table. To help ensure that your interactive display will be feasible in the space provided, we are requiring that you share a brief description of your display with us in the showcase registration form.
Will my team have access to power for our interactive display?
Yes. Teams may request access to a power outlet through the showcase registration form.
Does Bass Connections supply audiovisual or other equipment for interactive displays at the showcase?
All display materials must be supplied or arranged for by your project team. If your team would like to request a screen or other equipment, please describe your needs in the showcase registration form and we will connect you directly with Tech Services to determine availability and feasibility.
Can I see examples of interactive displays from previous years?
Twenty-one teams have elected to present interactive displays at the showcase since we first started offering this option — 13 teams in 2023 and eight teams in 2022.
Examples include:
A City and Its River: Durham's Ellerbe Creek Watershed (2021-2022)
This team brought water and insect samples for showcase guests to view under microscopes. They also shared interactive maps of the watershed area that included sampling locations and concentrations of chemical pollutants.
Financial Burden in Patients With Health Disparities (2022-2023)
This team brought photographs, infographics and other artifacts curated from their work with people with dementia and their care partners. The team used a novel visual research method called Photovoice that combines photography, verbal narratives and critical reflection by small groups to capture aspects of their environment and experiences with a particular issue or condition. To simulate one aspect of the Photovoice process, the team also brought a polaroid camera so showcase guests could take a photo of their own to add to the team’s collections.
Engineering a Low-cost Device to Monitor Irrigation in Rural Kenya (2021-2022)
This team brought a sensor prototype designed to measure the fill and flow of water in hand-dug irrigation canals in rural Kenya. At the showcase, the team placed their prototype in a flume and allowed guests to change the water flow and add components to the water to test the sensor in real time.
Sustainable Implementation of Laparoscopy in Low-income Countries (2021-2022)
This team brought prototypes of their laparoscopic instruments so guests could practice doing laparoscopic surgery in plastic models with their equipment.
Eye Tracking: Objective Assessment for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Youth Athletes (2021-2022)
This team brought football helmets, physical models and a DASHR earpiece, a team-designed device that football players wear in their ear during practices and games to collect data on head impacts.
Laboratory Art in Practice: Building a Model for the Art/Science Lab at Duke (2022-2023)
This team brought biomaterial samples, microbial art, lab documentation, slime mold cultures and a digital presentation that showcased their year of lab-based artistic research.
Are there awards for interactive displays at the showcase?
Yes. There will be one winning interactive display and one runner-up selected by a panel of judges at the showcase. Displays will be evaluated on their creativity, communication and interactivity. Winners will be announced during the showcase.
Past winners
2023
- A City and Its River: Contaminant Risk in Durham's Ellerbe Creek Watershed (joint winner)
- Eye Tracking: Objective Assessment for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Youth Athletes (joint winner)
2022