Science Fair Project Presentation Info
Design Tips for Science Fair Project Display Boards

Congratulations! You have completed your science project experiment and are ready to create your project board. The board is a visual summary of your entire project. You want the judges and other observers to be interested and curious about your project at first sight. Once interested, you want them to easily understand your entire project without having to search for information.

Considering the basic principles of design will help you make good choices for creating the best look.
 Emphasize what is more important. Make the title large and use contrasting colors (such as black on white or dark blue on light yellow). Headings can be emphasized by using a larger type, and/or different font styles (bold, italic, underline), as well as different colors. Use colored paper to frame each section and graphic for contrast from the background board color. Try to relate the colors used to the project itself, such as blue for a project about water.
 Unity pulls the board together. You should use the same colors, fonts and styles for each section and use the same color frame for all sections and graphics.
 Balance the 3 sections by placing about the same amount of visuals in each. If the sections are very short, consider adding a decorative accent to that section. Empty space is just as important as the information and graphic sections.
 Variety can help make something more interesting. A great technique for adding some variety to your board is to re-size the length of the paper for each section.
 Pattern is created by using the same colors and type style for each section. This also provides unity and helps the viewer look from section to section.
 Movement is a distraction for a science fair project board. Remember, the board should be designed to be easy to read and understand.
 Proportion should be considered when choosing type sizes as well as the sizes of photos and graphs. Creating a single oversized image relating to the topic can be an effective way to emphasize your topic.

General tips and guidelines:
 Choose a color scheme and stick with it. Don’t use more than 3 colors plus white.
 Choose a font family and stick with it.
 Use uppercase for your title only if it is a few words and not a whole sentence.
 Use upper and lower case for your title if the title is a sentence.
 Use digital photography so you can re-size, crop and print off the computer.
 Use full color photographs if possible.
 Use larger photos.
 Create PowerPoint “slides” and print them to 8 ½ x 11 paper for your information sections.
 Use the same PowerPoint format for creating graphs and adding photos and illustrations.
 Use rubber cement, not white glue or glue sticks.
 Use a ruler to measure things out, do not guess.
 Don’t forget the purpose of the board! Keep it clean and simple!
 Avoid embellishments and scrapbooking style decorating.


Procedure for designing the board:
1. Be sure you understand size and visual element restrictions defined in the project rules handout.
2. Create a few sketches of your board, trying different layouts of the elements and different color schemes.
3. Experiment with decorative accents that relate to your project.
4. On the computer (Word or PowerPoint) browse and choose the font and lettering styles for the title, headings and body of copy. If no computer is available experiment and decide on your hand-lettering style.
5. Make your layout, color, type and design decisions and stick with it.

Prepare your graphics:
1. Produce each section on the computer and print. If producing freehand, use ruled paper and print only (no cursive).
2. Titles and large headings not created on a computer can be made with pre-cut letters or stencils. Center the title with a ruler (do not guess). If made by hand, use a light pencil and rulers to plan and place the letters before coloring them.
3. Produce photographs.
4. Produce graphs.
5. Produce decorative accents.
6. OR all of the above can be integrated in PowerPoint slides, then printed.

Materials:
1. Foam or cardboard project board.
2. Rubber cement for mounting papers (information, photos, graphs) onto the board.
3. Ruler or t-square, pencil, eraser for laying out placement of each paper.
4. X-acto knife with a metal edge or cutting board for re-sizing papers.
5. Colored construction paper as needed.
6. All information sections, headers, title and graphics.

Prepare your board:
1. Measure out a border and mark it out lightly with a pencil to aide placement of elements.
2. Layout everything to be sure it all fits and you like it.
3. Mount everything with rubber cement.
4. Erase any pencil guidelines.
5.
6. Name:
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