Science FairScience FairDisplay BoardsDisplay Boards

Design for successDesign for success

Display BoardDisplay Board

The DISPLAY BOARD is probably the The DISPLAY BOARD is probably the most familiar part of a Science most familiar part of a Science Project. This tri-fold board will show Project. This tri-fold board will show off all your hard work so you want it off all your hard work so you want it to be professional. This powerpoint to be professional. This powerpoint offers several tips for its design and offers several tips for its design and construction.construction.

Example 1Example 1 Borders (not necessary)Borders (not necessary) Lettering (Neat)Lettering (Neat) Matting (adds color and fills Matting (adds color and fills

“white space”)“white space”) Charts (large/full size)Charts (large/full size) Notice layout on sidesNotice layout on sides

Use diagram on handout for Use diagram on handout for

proper placementproper placement Things this project is missing:Things this project is missing:

SubtitleSubtitle Pictures with captionsPictures with captions Proper placement of written Proper placement of written

partsparts Aligning the papers in straight Aligning the papers in straight

lineslines Limited colorsLimited colors

What’s wrong with this picture?What’s wrong with this picture? Where does your eye Where does your eye

go?go? What is missing from What is missing from

this display?this display?

How would you change How would you change this display?this display?

The good, the bad, and the uglyThe good, the bad, and the ugly

Enough is enough!!!Enough is enough!!!

How long How long would you would you

spend spend looking at looking at

this this board?board?

What Makes for a Good What Makes for a Good Display Board?Display Board?For a Good Display Board, For a Good Display Board,

You Should Answer "Yes" to Every QuestionYou Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question Does your display board include:Does your display board include:

Title & Subtitle Title & Subtitle Question/ProblemQuestion/Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Materials list Materials list Procedure Procedure Data: table(s) & graph(s) & Pictures (all properly labeled)Data: table(s) & graph(s) & Pictures (all properly labeled) Results Results ConclusionConclusion

What it does not includeWhat it does not include Name, school, teacher, etc…Name, school, teacher, etc… Pictures with facesPictures with faces Research reportResearch report Things hanging offThings hanging off

Text SizeText SizeSuggestions for a Typical Science Project Display BoardSuggestions for a Typical Science Project Display Board

Title 150Title 150+:+: You want your title to be visible You want your title to be visible from across a room!from across a room! Subtitle 60Subtitle 60+:+: Should be easily readable Should be easily readable

from five feet away by someone just from five feet away by someone just walking by.walking by.

Headings 60Headings 60+:+: This text is smaller than This text is smaller than headings, but more noticeable than main headings, but more noticeable than main text size.text size.

Easy to read fontEasy to read font Main Body Text 16 – 18Main Body Text 16 – 18: : This is a This is a

comfortable text size for someone who comfortable text size for someone who comes closer to read more.comes closer to read more.

Captions 12 – 16Captions 12 – 16: : It's OK to make these a It's OK to make these a bit smaller than the body text if necessary.bit smaller than the body text if necessary.

Text adviceText advice Use a font size of at least 16 pointsUse a font size of at least 16 points for your main for your main

body text. Anything smaller is too hard to read. (See body text. Anything smaller is too hard to read. (See tables below for more information on text size.) tables below for more information on text size.)

Stick with traditional fontsStick with traditional fonts like Arial, Times New like Arial, Times New Roman, or similar typefaces. Roman, or similar typefaces.

Use Use italicsitalics or or boldbold for emphasis, not for all your text. for emphasis, not for all your text.

Don't place your text on top of a pictureDon't place your text on top of a picture; that ; that makes it difficult to read. makes it difficult to read.

Absolutely no ALL CAPS; THEY ARE MUCH HARDER TO Absolutely no ALL CAPS; THEY ARE MUCH HARDER TO READ.READ.

Don't use more than two or three different fonts on Don't use more than two or three different fonts on

your board. For example-Times New Roman for body your board. For example-Times New Roman for body copy and Arial for headings makes for a nice copy and Arial for headings makes for a nice combination.combination.

You can do better than this…You can do better than this…samplessamples

Using a color background board…Using a color background board…samplessamples