Three-Minute Thesis Competition Allows Architecture Students To Showcase Research At KSU

Press release from Kennesaw State University:

Jan 20, 2021

Three Minute Thesis Competition Allows Architecture Students to Showcase Research

KENNESAW, Ga.
(Jan 20, 2021) — For fifth-year architecture major and Honors student Kathryn Stapleton, her thesis project presented an opportunity to expand
her horizons and grow as a student in her final year at Kennesaw State University.
This month, her research and presentation skills were rewarded as she won the annual
Cooper Carry Three Minute Thesis Competition.

Inspired by an urban studio she took earlier in her undergraduate career, her thesis
seeks to rectify the problems many waterfront cities face when storms bring rising
water levels and heavy damage to their neighborhoods. Stapleton analyzed East Boston,
which has a lengthy history of reclaiming land from the ocean, effectively eliminating
a natural barrier that could protect existing structures.

“Throughout this competition and thesis process, I could sense that I was becoming
more polished as a presenter and developed a deep connection to my research,” she
said. “All of these are vital skills that will help me as I look to break into the
field of architecture.”

Stapleton was one of 12 students presenting their theses in the competition. The event,
which follows the format of the University of Queensland’s Three Minute Thesis competition,
challenges students to deliver a convincing pitch for their thesis project in a short
timeframe using only a single PowerPoint slide.

The event hosted by Kennesaw State’s Department of Architecture is unique in that all participants are undergraduate students, as the University
is one of only a handful of programs nationwide that requires its students to pursue
thesis projects while earning a professional architecture degree. KSU’s Graduate College also hosts a separate Three Minute Thesis competition for master’s and doctoral students.

In order to qualify for the competition, students begin presenting their proposals
as fourth-year architecture students in a thesis prep course. From those presentations,
finalists are selected to participate in the competition. Prior to the event, the
finalists take part in a three-hour training session with three professional presentation
coaches. During the event, students are judged by a panel composed of industry experts
and academicians, and the winners are awarded cash prizes sponsored by local architecture
firm Cooper Carry.“Thesis coordinator Liz Martin-Malikian established this skill building exercise within
the architecture department to empower students to be able to clearly articulate their
ideas and help guide the future leaders of our industry,” said Rick Fredlund, associate
director of Cooper Carry. “Now in its ninth year running, we’re really proud to support
Kennesaw State in our shared interest in not only advancing design quality by highlighting
the art of presentation, but also giving students a leg up when applying for an architecture
job.”

In addition to the winner, prizes are also given to the runner-up and the winner of
the People’s Choice Award, both of which were given to Olivia Harrell. A Savannah
native, Harrell sought in her thesis to memorialize African American history through
architecture by paying tribute to the victims of slave trade who have passed through
Savannah ports. Though the city is recognized as a top tourist destination and an
important logistical cog for the transport industry, Harrell said its history is often
forgotten.

“Despite the fact Savannah is predominately African American, you don’t see many remnants
of our history when you walk through downtown,” she said. “I wanted to draw on that
history and make sure it is presented in a respectful way.”

Like Stapleton, Harrell said the fifth-year thesis project is unique in that students
are able to build on the momentum of their research across several semesters.

“This is something that we’ve been working on for more than a year, and it allows
us to build a connection with our topic,” she said. “I can say that my research is
still growing even at this point in the process.”

– Travis Highfield

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.