Displaying The Project

     Projects that are to be displayed to the public, such as at science fairs and contests, should include an attractive poster. Most science fairs limit the size of the project. Use a project poster whose back section is 28 - 30 inches wide. (This does not include the side panels.). The depth (front to back) should be limited to 30 inches so that it will not hang over the table.
     An excellent way to learn about project posters would be to actually see good examples at a science fair. If this isn't possible, ask your science teacher if he or she has some pictures or color slides of good posters or projects. The following suggestions should be of help in producing a good poster.

A project poster should be:

1. made of sturdy material, (cardboard or foam
       project board are available at many office
       supply stores.)

2. attractive. Use bright colors, or use pastel
       colors, but use color! Often, projects that
       pertain to living things employ greens,
       yellows, browns, tans, while projects per-
       taining to nonliving subjects are often
       colored with blues, grays, reds, and black.

3. neat and orderly.

4. comfortably readable by most people at a
       distance of four feet from the front of the
       table on which the poster rests. The letters
       of the project title should be no smaller than
       1 1/2 inches high (108 points). Two to three
       inches would be better. No lettering on the
       poster should be less than 1/2 inch in height
       (36 points -- 48 recommended). Those who
      wish to learn the details of your project can
       read your report.

       (Note: Computer fonts: 1 inch = 72 points.
       Font size can be typed in the font box if the
       size cannot be selected from the list. This is
       12 pt. type.)

       Use Times Roman or Courier for sentences
       and Arial for Titles and Subtitles.

5. able to convey the "overall" idea of your
       project within ten seconds after a total
       stranger has first looked at it. Science fair
        judges and others who cannot understand
       what your project basically involves will
       move on to the next. Many science fairs have
       between 100 and 300 projects on display!

6. capable of standing erect by itself. This is
       probably the most neglected item by most
       students and yet is one of the most important
       parts of the total project. The easiest method
       to purchase a poster board is from a school
       supply store or hobby shop. These are light
       weight and very versatile. The second easiest
       way of making a poster that will stand by itself
       is to make it in three sections that are taped
       or hinged together in back. (See sketch) The
       advantage of this type of poster is that it
       stands nicely and also can be made wider than
       30 inches and yet fit into a 30 inch space on
       the table. Furthermore, it doesn't require a
       wood or metal rack or backing that the
       straight type poster does.

7. poster should have a title; identify the
       hypothesis, procedure, and conclusions.

HOW TO LETTER YOUR POSTER

1. Make a sketch of your poster on regular
       blank notebook paper. Decide where your
       explanation, drawings, etc. should be placed.

2. Lettering may be done in several ways, but
       regardless of which method is used, the
       student should first draw horizontal pencil
       lines with a yard stick to make sure the
       lettering will be straight and correctly spaced.

3. After the letters are drawn in with a pencil,
       the student should make sure that all words
       are spelled correctly. Printing can be done by
       using stencils, making letters from colored
       paper cutouts, or using the computer.

4. "Color-in" the letters with black or dark
       colored felt-tip pens. Some students may
       want to use paint for this, while others may
       even desire to paint the letters with glue
       and sprinkle dark colored glitter on the
       glued areas. Fluorescent paints are also
       effective.

5. If you decide to have a colored poster
       board, you may either buy one as such, or
       paint one yourself with oil base paint,
       enamel, or lacquer. Do not use water-base
       paints which will warp the poster when it dries.