GUIDELINES:

• All performers must have one piece prepared.
• Poets are rated on both content and performance by preselected guest judges. Subject matter must, in some way, relate themes back to the concepts found in STEM
• Each performance must be a maximum of 4 minutes.
• No profanity, hateful, or explicit content.
• Reading from the page is allowed but may inhibit your ability to engage audience.
• No covers allowed. Each poem must be of the poet’s own creation.
All styles are welcome and encouraged: acapella hip-hop, theatrical monologues, literary poetry, sound poetry, dub poetry, rants, haikus, power raps, etc. Whatever you like. Remember you’ll be judged on delivery as well as content.

*Please note that STEMedia will film and share video of the STEM_Poetry Slam. Consent forms will be provided to each participant. Should you wish not to participate it should be made known to the event’s organizers ahead of time.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

 • Presence - For the duration of the performance, the performer should seem poised and confident on stage, both spatially and with audience interactions.
 • Voice and Articulation - Performer’s voice should modulate and clearly articulate throughout the duration of the piece.
 • Poetic Resonance - Poem’s content should provide surprising and new ways of thinking. Poem’s content should adhere to the expectation of the contest (STEM) and the audience.
 • Use of language - STEM language should be creatively used, with fresh parallel uses of ideas, compelling imagery, fresh technical phrases and rhythmic lines.
 • Level of difficulty - Pieces should display complex content, sophisticated ideas, difficult vernacular, shifts in tone and mood, for the entire performance.