Science fair project boards are visual aids designed to communicate details about experiments to judged science fairs. Common materials used include poster boards or foam core, but these boards may also be made out of wood if necessary.
One of the greatest challenges associated with science fair display boards is creating something both visually appealing and informative. This can be accomplished using text sizes/fonts/images/charts as means for accomplishing this feat.
Layout
Most science fair competitions provide rules or guidelines regarding the design of project display boards for entry submission. Of paramount importance when designing your board is its layout; sections should include your research question, hypothesis, experiment procedures and results as well as a title large enough to be read from three feet away.
Text should be clear and easy to read using fonts that complement each other, while bold or italicized fonts should be avoided as they are difficult to discern. Images or illustrations can make the board more visually appealing while graphs and charts may help communicate data more efficiently.
An effective science fair project display should include visual elements that make the project engaging and easy for judges and audience members alike, such as charts, graphs and photographs. While not mandatory for every entry at the fair, these visual aids can help distinguish your work from all others submitted for review.
Text
Science fair project display boards are large pieces of poster paper, foam core or corrugated cardboard that contain information about an experiment for scientific competitions. They usually follow an orderly structure: from abstract or hypothesis through literature justification section and experimental procedures and materials sections all the way through to results and conclusions sections which highlight your scholarly findings.
Visual components, such as photographs and diagrams, may not be necessary in every project, but they can help judges quickly comprehend your data – an advantage which could gain you extra points. Charts and graphs can help present numerical information in an engaging format; however, students should avoid including text on top of photographs as this makes reading them harder.
Visuals
A science fair board acts as a visual summary of your project and communicates questions, experiments and results clearly and efficiently. For optimal performance it should be attractive yet easy to read.
Based on competition rules and teacher expectations, a science fair display board may include sections such as an eye-catching title, the original question or hypothesis, research methods used, results achieved as well as any additional information such as charts or graphs.
Science fair display boards should feature large font sizes that are easily read from a distance and dark colors so the text stands out against its background. An online diagram maker could be helpful in expediting this process of visual design for science fair projects.
Conclusions
Students who participate in science fairs learn many invaluable lessons, from gaining a better understanding of formal scientific methodology to sharpening reading, writing, logical thinking, mathematical skills, public speaking and developing an attitude of curiosity.
An effective science fair project takes time and planning, from researching to conducting experiments and gathering data, as well as getting approval from a review board and potential participants (whether animals or humans). Students need to allow enough time for all aspects of this process in advance.
A science fair display board should follow a standard format. This should include titles, background information, questions or hypotheses, materials and procedures used, results and conclusions as well as visual components like charts or graphs. Most competitions have rules regarding what must be included; check with organizers of your event if necessary or search online for “science fair judging criteria,” an excellent starting point being Regeneron ISEF criteria.