In the Fall of 2022, I began a project using multispectral satellite images to classify croplands. The project involved machine learning and deep learning models like Random Forest, Transformer, and Recurrent Neural Networks to automatically process large-scale satellite images and crop data. The goal was to predict cropland types (soybean, corn, etc.) down to each pixel.
I started formally documenting my progress and findings during the spring semester of 2024. I worked on drafting my manuscript and practicing my presentation with Denise, my English teacher and friend. The time we spent together in class proved invaluable. Not only did I read my manuscript aloud, but I also explained complex concepts and methods to Denise. Denise was genuinely interested in these computer science topics, and I appreciated her engagement.
Through this practice, I learned how to shift perspectives—explaining technical concepts and drawing figures in ways that would be accessible to both the general public and fellow researchers. In October, my abstract for the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference was accepted, and I began preparing for my oral presentation.
At first, I simply stacked information together, threw out the conclusion, and didn’t pay much attention to the flow or background of my presentation. My past course project presentations had been more like reports rather than speeches. However, with my abstract accepted, I knew I had to change that approach.
I created my presentation slides, covering all the material I wanted to share. But when I started practicing, I quickly realized that an oral presentation isn’t just about reading from slides—it’s about telling a story. Initially, I had prepared 13 slides, and when I practiced my presentation for the first time, I ended up spending over 30 minutes, far too long for an 8-minute limit.
To solve this, I decided to feed my speech text into ChatGPT in the order of my slides, asking it to help shorten the content to fit within 6 minutes. ChatGPT’s suggestions were amazing. It trimmed the redundancy, merged related content from different slides, and gave the speech a coherent flow rather than fragmented points separated by slides. I was truly surprised by how well it worked. After reading through the revised version, I found that it only took 6 minutes to present!
Of course, ChatGPT didn’t create a perfect final version. I edited its suggestions, adding some key details I felt were important. When I read through that third version, it was just right—it only took 7 minutes to deliver. This process really boosted my confidence, showing me how AI could be a helpful tool in the preparation process.
I also sought feedback from my advisor, Dr. Tao Liu, who gave me valuable suggestions on the content and structure of my presentation. He encouraged me to practice 10 times before presenting at the AGU Conference. At first, I thought this didn’t sound too difficult, but during my first five practice rounds, I struggled to control the time and recall all the material. By the last five rounds, however, I began to speak more fluently, with fewer references to my slides. I realized that a presentation should be about my voice and words, not just the slides. My slides were like a necklace, and my narrative tied everything together.
On the morning of the presentation, I listened to the best version of my recorded speech while walking to the conference center. This final repetition gave me the courage and confidence I needed. I was one of the first to arrive at the auditorium and waited calmly for my turn.
When it was my time to present, everything went smoothly—I didn’t forget any important points, and I was even able to share some new, unexpected insights. I felt relaxed enough to add some interesting findings I hadn’t initially prepared. The AGU conference wasn’t just a stage for sharing my research; it was a valuable lesson in how to craft and deliver a speech.
I am incredibly grateful for the support I received throughout this process—from my advisor, Dr. Tao Liu, to my English teacher, Denise, and, of course, my unexpected helper, ChatGPT. Their guidance and encouragement played a huge role in helping me deliver a successful presentation. I will always remember this experience and continue to apply the lessons I’ve learned in the future.
Written by: Judy Long for EBLP Newsletter.
Elaine Bacon Literacy Program 