Science Fair Board Layout #2
The display poster board is an important tool for the presentation of your research.
The objective of a poster board is to present the main areas of your project so that others can easily understand what you discovered. This is not the same as your written report. The actual project will have a lot more detail that will be shown in your written report. Think of the poster board as a commercial for your project. The commercial will state the main points and key features of your research project so that others will understand it easily.
Like books, people will read your poster board from left to right and top to bottom. It is a good idea to arrange your project information so that observers can read your display in logical order. Part of your challenge is to make it easy for others to understand your work. The only section not following this convention is the title which should be located at the top center of your display.
The main areas of a poster board could be the ones shown in the chart on this page. The areas are explained below. Each section presented on the poster board should be only one paragraph if possible. The actual areas you use will depend on the rules of your fair and the choice of exact information you want to present.
Check with your teacher or fair coordinator before using this recommended format.
Title
The title of your project. Your name.
Data and Graphics
Present any significant data, graphs, and pictures in this section. Visual representations of your research, if done effectively, are worth thousands of words.
Purpose/ Background
State the purpose of your research and an overview of the subject you covered. Why is the topic important to you and the reader?
Details of your Topics
What are the most important facts you found out about this topic? Write these facts in paragraph form so it is easy for others to grasp what you learned.
Recommendations
What is next? During your research did you find related topics you would like to study later?
During your research did you come across good or even great resources of information? You could give good recommendations to others who are interested in learning more about your topics.
Other Display Materials
Abstract
An abstract is a brief overview of your project work. It should include the title, your name, and a brief summary of your research project. It should be no more than one typed page with 1 or 2 paragraphs. It is a good idea to have copies of your abstract available for visitors to take with them.
Models or Research Apparatus
Did you create any models or experimental setups that are important in explaining your topics? Three dimensional objects and pictures are often more effective than words at communicating complex ideas. Find out from your teacher if it is appropriate for you to display models or apparatus and whether or not you can show them working.