Crafting an Outstanding Project Display Board

Understand the guidelines and regulations. When preparing a display board for a science fair or school event, there may be specific requirements to fulfill. Familiarize yourself with these requirements to ensure proper preparation.

• Requirements may include: your name, grade level, teacher's name, acknowledgements, etc.
• You may also need to exhibit items adjacent to, rather than on, the board, such as lab notes, equipment, examples, or prototypes, etc.
• Additionally, be aware of any prohibited items for your display board.

Develop a comprehensive plan for your project and display board. Prior to constructing your project board, it's essential to determine which items you'll showcase and how you'll present them. This aspect of planning will vary depending on the nature of your project. One effective method is to create a storyboard, a visual depiction of your board's layout or organization, sketched on paper.

• Assess your entire project to identify its major sections or components, which may become the focal points of your board.
• When drafting your storyboard, decide on appropriate font sizes for each element. This will streamline the creation and printing process for each section.
• Many science fairs recommend organizing topics on display boards as follows:
  • Left Panel — Question or Problem; Purpose; Hypothesis; Variables; Materials; Procedures.
  • Middle Panel — Title and Subtitle (if applicable); Project Data; Graphs; Charts; Tables; Diagrams; Photos; Illustrations.
  • Right Panel — Analysis; Results; Discussion; Conclusion; Recommendations; Future Studies; References.

Incorporate Headings and Subheadings. To enhance readability, break up extensive text with headings and subheadings. Ideally, viewers should grasp the essence of your project simply by scanning the headings and subheadings on your display board, without delving into all the details. Consider these headings and subheadings when determining the content for your board.

• Ensure that the main text on your display board is at least 16 pt in size, enabling readability from a distance.
• Headings and subheadings should be larger than the main text, and employing bold, underline, or color can further accentuate them.
• Utilize lists or bullet points for concise presentation, aiding skim-reading.

Assess the Necessity of a Companion Board. A companion board, positioned in front of or beside your main display board, can serve to summarize the project or showcase project results through a photo. The dimensions of the companion board should be 9” tall by 12” wide (sufficient to accommodate a letter-sized paper with margins).

• You can fashion your own companion board by cutting foam boards to size (using an x-acto knife) and constructing a stand using additional foam pieces, secured with tape.

Choose an Appropriate Title for Your Project. The title should fulfill two crucial objectives: attracting attention and conveying the project's essence. Employ creativity and invest time in crafting a compelling title. Compile a list of potential titles and experiment with wording until you find the perfect fit. Consider using a thesaurus to discover engaging or descriptive terms suitable for your project. However, ensure to verify any words found in the thesaurus by consulting a dictionary to ascertain precise meanings, as thesauruses often group loosely related synonyms.

• Strive for a succinct title, enabling viewers to grasp it at a glance while arousing their interest.
• Here are examples of effective project titles:
  • Assessing Timber's Structural Integrity
  • Endurance Evaluation: Lipstick versus Gloss
  • Microbial Analysis of Milk
  • Exploring the Senses through Fruit Experiments

Utilize Visual Elements to the Fullest. While words are valuable, visual aids convey information more effectively. Incorporate numerous pictures, graphs, tables, charts, and diagrams into your display. Opt for simple and understated backgrounds to ensure clarity and readability of overlaid text.

• Prioritize printing graphics in color, particularly for graphs and charts where color distinguishes between different elements or variables.
• In the absence of a color printer, utilize markers or crayons to add color to graphs and charts.

Ensure Proper Labeling of Visual Elements. Assign each graph, chart, or photo a distinct identifier (number or letter) accompanied by a descriptive caption. When referencing visual elements in the main text, utilize these identifiers. Captions should succinctly and accurately describe the content of the visual item, using a slightly smaller font (below 16 pt).

Incorporate Relevant Terminology and Jargon. Integrate technical or scientific terminology into your main text and captions, aligned with the discipline of your project. Consider including a glossary of terms on your display board or within your project report if necessary.

• Accurate terminology is crucial, particularly in events judged by professionals.
• For complex projects, include a 'layman's summary' to ensure understanding by all audiences, including students, parents, or non-professionals.

Embrace Simplicity. While creativity is enticing, resist the urge for extravagance when designing your project display board. Opt for clarity, readability, and effective communication through uncluttered layouts, clear content, explanatory graphics, and balanced colors.

• Refer to online examples of display boards for guidance on effective designs.
• Seek advice from your teacher and review past exemplary project boards for insights on achieving top grades.

Procure the Appropriate Display Board. Standard display boards measure 36” tall and 48” wide. Ensure the size aligns with your display requirements and event regulations. These boards typically feature three panels, with the middle panel occupying half the width and the outer panels a quarter each. The outer panels fold over the middle for transport and can be used as support for upright display.

• Display boards are available from online retailers like Amazon.com or local school supply stores.
• Consider readability and information density when selecting board size; excessively large boards may overwhelm viewers.

Utilize Digital Tools for Material Development. Unless specified otherwise, utilize computer-based software for developing and printing project materials to ensure a professional appearance. Determine required materials based on your overall plan and storyboard.

• Various software options are available for material creation, including word processing, spreadsheets, or presentation software. Consider specialized software like Adobe Photoshop or iPhoto if proficient.
• If lacking a personal computer, access computers at school or public libraries.
• Set page orientation in software to match your project board (horizontal or vertical) for consistency.
• Opt for easily readable fonts like Arial, Verdana, or Times New Roman, avoiding script or overly decorative fonts.

Print Out All Materials. Once material design is complete, print each item, preferably in color. Alternatively, design materials in grey tones for accurate printing previews. Transfer files onto a USB drive for printing at school or a printing/stationery store if necessary.

• Consider printing on thicker or non-white paper to prevent glue transparency on standard thin paper.
• Avoid using brightly colored paper for readability; ensure font color contrasts effectively with background color.
• Utilize spellcheck and manual proofreading to eliminate errors before printing.
• Opt for matte photo paper over glossy for photos to minimize glare.

Design Layout Arrangement. Determine the layout for your display board by experimenting with different arrangements on a flat surface. Avoid attaching materials until satisfied with the layout.

• Ensure the layout flows logically, akin to a newspaper article, from top to bottom and left to right.
• Emphasize the project title for easy readability; avoid vertical titles for quick comprehension.

Enhance with Colored Paper for Dimension and Contrast. Consider utilizing colored paper, such as construction paper, to create borders or shadows for sections of your display board. Select colors that complement the board's hue and ensure consistency throughout.

• Exercise caution with color choices to avoid visual overload; opt for harmonious color schemes.
• Refer to a color wheel for guidance in selecting complementary colors.

Ensure Precise Cutting. While seemingly straightforward, cutting paper straight can be challenging even with pre-drawn lines. Opt for a paper cutter or trimmer for accurate cuts.

• Check if your school provides access to a paper cutter; consult your teacher for assistance.
• Some printing and stationery stores offer paper cutters and trimmers for public use.
• If you know someone skilled in scrapbooking, they might have a paper trimmer you can borrow.

Secure Materials to Your Display Board. For project display boards, glue sticks or double-sided tape are recommended adhesives. Avoid regular craft glue to prevent lumps and visibility through the paper, maintaining a professional appearance. Consider adhesive velcro dots for reusable photo attachment.

• Alternatively, rubber cement can be used, though it may require purchase by an adult.

Mindful Placement of Your Board. When positioning your board on a table or desk, ensure even lighting without casting shadows. Adjust panel placement, including the title board, if applicable, to ensure uniform brightness across the entire board. Angle side panels outward rather than at 90-degree angles for optimal viewing without discomfort.

• Many science fairs permit additional items alongside your project display board, but be mindful of potential restrictions. Acceptable items may include project or lab notebooks, prototypes, electronics, etc. However, restrictions may apply to items such as plants, animal materials, chemicals, food, soil, waste, drugs, water, flammable items, sharp or breakable objects, and more.