Overview
The SME Environmental Division (ED) Student Poster Contest is a way to encourage and foster the next generation of geologists, geological engineers, environmental engineers and environmental scientists and support students’ academic achievements. Students submit their abstracts via email, and then display their posters at the Division Luncheon held during the SME MINEXCHANGE Annual Conference & Expo.
2026 ED Student Poster Contest
The ED welcomes both graduate and undergraduate participants from a diversity of universities to take part during the 2026 Student Poster Contest in conjunction with the 2026 SME MINEXCHANGE Annual Conference & Expo in Salt Lake City, UT. Please download the full Guidelines from the link found below.
Prizes are $2,000 for 1st, $1,000 for 2nd, and $500 for 3rd place
Participant Requirements
To participate in the ED Student Poster Contest, entrants must be:
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited university,
- A paid member of SME for 2026
- A paid registrant and able to attend the 2026 SME Annual Conference & Expo in Salt Lake City, UT.
Contest Details:
- There will be one level of judging for graduate students and undergraduate students. However, consideration will be given to experience and level of education in regards to the subject matter.
- Two phases of judging will occur: abstracts and poster presentations.
- Prizes for each level: $2,000 for 1st; $1,000 for 2nd; and $500 for 3rd place. Each poster submission will receive a complimentary ticket to the ED Luncheon. Luncheon tickets will be for the author only.
Contest Format:
- Participants will submit a 1-page abstract by December 15, 2025 to the ED Program Planning Chair at evd-poster@smenet.org.
- Participants will be notified if their abstract has been selected by January 5, 2026.
- Poster presentations will be the morning of Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Each student will have 5 minutes to explain their research to a panel of judges, followed by Q&A with the judges.
- Judging will focus on the quality of abstracts, posters and presentation.
- Winners will be announced during the ED Luncheon.