1. Science Fair The Design of the Display 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

2. "Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

3. Due Thursday Dec 5 th  FYI…  The display is NOT just your report attached to the project board  Consider putting required items into a power point to allow for easy modifications and print out when you are ready to attach  On the due date, lightly tape or affix to board in order to be able to rearrange and change as corrections are neeed 2011 Science Fair Professional Development Series

4. Goals of a Project Display Board  Provides judges and the public with an overview of your project when you are not there to explain  Emphasizes succinctly the scope of the project, the nature of the research, and the results  Demonstrates your authority as a researcher by the neatness and correctness of the information presented 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

5. Examples of Tabletop Displays 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

6. Examples of Freestanding Displays (you won’t do this…maybe in High School) 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

7. Dimensions of Project Display  Tables surfaces are: 48 in wide x 30 in deep 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

8. Guidelines  Keep the display simple. Avoid clutter. Judges and the public viewing the board must be able to comprehend quickly what your research involved.  Use no more than two or three colors, and choose colors appropriate to your subject.  Arrange the information logically.  Label all data tables, charts, graphs, or photographs you use. 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

9. Cautions About PowerPoints, Videos, & Digital Photoframes  PowerPoints and videos can be excellent complements to the text and graphics on a project board. However, they should not be the sole presentation of the project for the following reasons (additionally, power is not provided):  PowerPoint and Video presentations must be reviewed for content. If there are any major violations in the content, it may be too difficult to make changes in time for judging  Judges or the public seldom take the time to view the whole presentation 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

10. What the Board Should Display  Title  Purpose  Background  Hypothesis  Materials  Variables  Procedure  Graphs  Data (results)  Data Analysis  Conclusion  Pictures (optional) 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

11. The Project Title  Keep it simple and short. It should be readable from a minimum of six feet.  Try to develop a phrasing that captures attention but succinctly represents your research.  The title should make the casual observer want to know more. 2011 Science Fair Professional Development Series

12. Display Considerations  In addition to displaying required paperwork and a summary explanation of the research project procedure and conclusions, the student may want to include the following:  Graphs of data that represents depth of research or conclusions  Pictures or illustrations of procedures  Data books  Mock-ups of specific designs, or laptop illustrations of procedures, etc. 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

13. Keys to Good Displays  Display should follows a sequence/logically presented/easy to read. Reach out to the ‘skim-reader’.  A glance should permit anyone (particularly the judges) to locate quickly the title, abstract, experiments, results and conclusions.  When you arrange your display, imagine that you are seeing it for the first time 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

14. Keys to a good display (cont)  Highlight your results using KEY graphs that SHOW RELATIONSHIPS of 2 variables tested.  Use the graphs to give a ‘picture’ of the data for your viewers. These graphs will provide an easier method of viewing the data rather than just seeing the recorded data in a table 2011 Science Fair Professional Development Series

15. Make it POP!  Make your display stand out.  Use neat, colorful headings, charts and graphs to present your project.  Pay special attention to the labeling of graphs, charts, diagrams, photographs, and tables to ensure that each has a title and appropriate label describing what is being demonstrated.  Anyone should be able to understand the visuals without further explanation. 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

16. Other Overall Display Considerations  Credit all images/photos and provide photo consent/release forms  Make backup copies of all paperwork in case any is lost or misplaced  Develop a way to secure a laptop or any permitted piece of equipment to prevent theft  Make certain any lights or electrical equipment is UL-approved – electricity use must be justified  For approved power usage - provide your own UL power strip if you need more than one outlet 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

17. Items Not Allowed for Display  living organisms (including plants & seeds)  taxidermy specimens  preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals  human/animal food  human/animal parts or body fluids  chemicals  Drugs  Glass  and other items listed in the Rules 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

18. Examples of Items Not Allowed for Display The example on right illustrates soil or waste materials not properly sealed in acrylic. 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series Photographs of vertebrate animals in lab procedures, unnatural environments, or stress situations not allowed.

19. Not Allowed for Display Containers of plants and dirt not allowed. 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series. Glass items not allowed.

20. Not Allowed for Display 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series Plant, seeds and other dried materials scattered for Decoration. Chemical or chemical compounds (including water). Sharp objects, such as this needle, or weapons, combustibles, of other hazardous devices.

21. Not Allowed for Display  If your display includes an electrical or engineering design, make certain that there is no exposed wiring and connections without non-conducting shielding or a grounded metal box or cage.  The project to the right illustrates a display that would not be approved. 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

22. Examples of Typical Violations 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series Unofficial Abstracts Displayed No Photo Credits Displayed Inappropriate Animal Pictures Chemicals Not Allowed

23. How to Credit Photos & Images  Any photos, images, and graphs used in the display must be credited. If the finalist created all photos/images, a single credit is sufficient.  Photos of human subjects must have consent/release forms. 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

24. Photo Release – Consent Form Display of photographs other than the student researcher must have a photo release signed by the subject, and if under 18 years of age, also by the guardian of the subject. These forms should not be displayed in order to protect the anonymity of human subjects but must be available for the inspector to check. Sample Text for a Release/Consent Form I consent to the use of visual images (photos, videos, etc.) involving my participation/my child’s participation in this research. __________________ Signed 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series

25. Please Note! In the end… The judges are judging your research, not the display. Do a good job, but don’t spend an excessive amount of time or money on the board. You are being judged on the science not the show! 2012 Science Fair Professional Development Series