Project Display
Your project display is a visual representation of all the work that you have done. It should consist of a backboard and anything else that supports your project, such as models, collections, exhibits or examples, photographs, surveys, and the like.
Your display must tell the story of the project in such a way that it attracts and holds the interest of the viewers. It has to be thorough, but not too crowded, so keep it simple, well-organized, attractive, and most of all informative.
The size and shape allowed for the display backboard can vary, so you will have to check the rules for your science fair. Most displays are allowed to be as large as 48 inches (122 cm) wide, 30 inches (76 cm) deep, and 108 inches (274 cm) high (including the table it stands on). Of course your display may be smaller than this. A three-sided backboard is usually the best way to display your work. Some office supply stores and most scientific supply companies sell inexpensive pre-made backboards. See links below for online information about project backboards.
Purchased backboards generally come in two colors, black and white. To change the color, you could paint or cover the backboard. For items placed on the backboard, select colors that stand out but don’t distract the viewer from the material being presented. Be creative, but remember that if everything is in fluorescent colors, the bright colors will be what viewers remember instead of your work.
The title and other headings should be neat and large enough to be read at a distance of about 3 feet (1 m). A short title is often eyecatching. For the title and headings, self-stick letters, of various sizes and colors, can be purchased at office supply stores and stuck to the backboard. You can cut your own letters out of construction paper or stencil letters directly onto the backboard. You can also use a word processor to print the title and other headings.
Some teachers have rules about the position of the information on the backboard. If your teacher doesn’t, just put the project title at the top of the center panel, and organize the remaining material in some logical order neatly on the rest of the board. Typical headings used are: Problem, Hypothesis, Procedure (materials and step-by-step instructions for your project experiment) Data (tables and graphs), Results (Short summary of data.), and Conclusion. The heading “Next Time,” though not always required, would follow the conclusion and contain a brief description of plans for future development of the project. This information could be included in the conclusion rather than under a separate heading.
Typed material can be placed on a colored backing, such as construction paper. Leave a border of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.63 to 1.25 cm) around the edges of each piece of typed material. Use a paper cutter to cut papers so that the edges will be straight.
You want a display that the judges will remember positively. So before you glue everything down, lay the board on a flat surface and arrange the materials a few different ways. This will help you decide on the most suitable and attractive presentation.
HELPFUL HINT
- Make sure the display represents the current year’s work only.
- The title should be one that attracts the interest of a casual observer. Not only should the title itself be interesting, but it should stand out visually.
- Organization is a very important part of designing a display. You want a logical order so that observers (especially judges) can easily follow the development of your project from start to finish. Before you actually stick anything to the board, make a diagram of where each part will be placed.
- One way to arrange the letters on the backboard is to first lay the letters out on the board without attaching them. Then, use a yardstick (meter stick) and pencil to draw a straight, light guideline where the bottom of each letter