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Take-Out Talk

Take-out Talk
Props for the Take-Out Talk

The Take-Out Talk is intended to be a presentation of exciting materials science developments, given with color transparencies and props, that you can make to technical or non-technical audiences. We have written a sample script and created color transparency masters to accompany the presentation. The script (or previous edition) and the color tranparency masters (or previous edition) can be downloaded. The props, pictured above, can either be obtained from the suppliers or borrowed from us on a first-come, first-served basis, with the presenter agreeing to cover shipping and handling costs. We also request that you fill out an evaluation form. This form will ask for information about the audience, the response they had to the presentation, and your suggestions for improving the presentation.

Thank you for coming and doing those experiments, they were really cool. I especially liked the ferrofluid. Can you email me the recipe?

A 6th grade student at Jefferson Middle School, in Madison WI.

For scheduling use of a props box and shipping arrangements, contact:

Greta Zenner, Director of Education
MRSEC - Interdisciplinary Education Group
University of Wisconsin College of Engineering
3115 Engineering Centers Building
1550 Engineering Drive
Madison WI 53706
phone: 608-263-7128

The presentation should be held in a darkenable room that contains an overhead projector and projection screen.

The props box contains:

All of the items above are provided except the overhead projector and projection screen. The speaker is encouraged to give away the refrigerator magnets. All other items should be collected so they can be reused.

There are a number of Take-Out-Talks available for loan stationed around the world. Currently talks reside at:

The props box and related information constitute a very effective combination. I received many positive comments at the presentation, and some very interesting thank you notes from the students (6th graders) indicating to me that they are comfortable with and fascinated by science and technology. One student commented in his thank you note, 'Thank you so much for coming to our school to talk about science. Your presentation was so cool!' It had everything that we wanted. It's really a very nice collection of 'props'. Thanks very much!

Verne Hess
Program Director
Electronic Materials Program
Division of Materials Research
National Science Foundation

The Take-Out-Talks have journeyed far and wide. Below is a sampling of their travels: