1. RESULTS Again, I recommend using a bullet point format in the results section. You may also want to break the results section into multiple parts depending on the project. The results section should include several figures. The more figures, the better. Use figures over tables because the findings will be easier to observe by the readers. Try to make some figures a little larger than others for added visual appeal, or emphasis. Component 1 of Study Major finding number 1 Major finding number 2 Component 2 of Study Major finding number 1 Major finding number 2 MATERIAL AND METHODS I recommend using a bullet point format for the methods section. It allows readers to quickly glean what was done. You may also want to break the methods section into multiple parts. For example: Study Area and Organism Describe exactly where project conducted (e.g. geographic location) Describe the environment of study sites Describe how many sites Describe study organism Data Collection Protocol Describe each step completed to collect data Describe instruments used to collect data Describe dates and times of when data was collected Of course, the above is just suggestions of what to include in this section. This section will vary from project to project and should be tailored in a way that most effectively outlines what was done in your project. TITLE GOES HERE USING BOLD AND LARGE TYPE SO IT IS VISIBLE FROM SEVERAL FEET AWAY Your Name 1 and Community Partner’s Name 2 1 Your High School 2 Community Partner’s Organization ABSTRACT In 200-300 words, the abstract should state: 1) motivation of project, 2) questions or objectives of project, 3) 1-2 sentences stating what was done (methods), 4) 1-2 sentences stating major findings, and 5) implications of findings. Use a san-serif font (e.g. Arial or Helvetica). This type is easier to read at a distance when there is a lot of text. Use a large font size, such as 26 point. Try not to go below 24 point. Make sure font type and size is consistent throughout the poster. The best contrast for poster text is black text on white background. However, that can be changed for a more colorful poster. Just make sure there is a stark contrast between the font color and background. You can highlight this text and replace it with your own. Having this template should make it easier for you to create your own poster. But, feel free to rearrange the layout to one that best suits your project. INSERT PHOTO OR FIGURE (THE MORE PHOTOS/FIGURES THE BETTER!) INSERT PHOTO OR FIGURE INSERT PHOTO OR FIGURE INSERT PHOTO OR FIGURE INSERT PHOTO OR FIGURE Text and Figures from Excel or Word EXCEL: select the chart, use Edit/Copy, and then Edit/Paste into PowerPoint. The chart can then be re-sized to fit as needed. If you need to edit parts of the chart, ungroup it. Watch out for scientific symbols. PowerPoint will not recognize them in imported text or figures so you may have to go back through your text and add symbols back in using the symbols font. WORD: select the text to be brought into PowerPoint, use Edit/Copy, then Edit/Paste the text into the text box. You can edit the text by changing the size, color, italics or bold, or add other effects using Format/Font in the menu bar above. PICTURES: use the Insert/Picture/From File command in the menu bar above to insert figures that are not PowerPoint based, such as JPG images of photographs. These should never be “pasted” into a PowerPoint file. A good way to make sure your figures look okay on your poster is to view it at 100%. Scroll around to see if the images look good. If not, they won’t look good in final print. INTRODUCTION The introduction should be 1-3 short paragraphs. Or you may choose to use bullet point format for the introduction. Whatever format is used, avoid long paragraphs of text. The introduction should be organized such that you first introduce the over- arching problem or issue that your project is addressing (think about why anyone should care about your project; what problem are you addressing that is important to the layperson). Present general aspects of the topic early in the introduction, then narrow toward the more specific information that provides context, finally arriving at your statement of purpose and rationale. The introduction should answer the following questions: 1) why is this project/study important?; 2) what did we know about this topic before this study was conducted?; and 3) what are the objectives of this study? Remember to clearly state the question that the study will address and hypotheses or the objectives of the study at the end of the introduction. Fig 1. Include a photo or figure legend that clearly describes what the photo/fig is displaying. Don’t forget to refer to the photo/fig in the text. Also, number photo/fig in the order they are referred to in text (e.g. Fig 1, Fig 2, etc.). The same applies for tables, but limit the number of tables. Figures are better than tables. Fig 2. Include a photo or figure legend that clearly describes what the photo/fig is displaying. If it contains two parts, label one part (a) and the other (b). Don’t forget to refer to the photo/fig in the text. Also, number photo/fig in the order they are referred to in text (e.g. Fig 1, Fig 2, etc.). The same applies for tables, but limit the number of tables. Figures are better than tables. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions can be written in paragraphs or in bullet point format. The bullets can be formatted using the Format/Bullets and Numbering command from the menu bar above. In the conclusions section the reader should take away the implications of the findings of the study. Interpret the findings of the study. How can the findings be use to inform management or conservation policy. Again, the exact information discussed in this section is dependent on the nature of the project. Headers (e.g. INTRODUCTIONS, MATERIALS AND METHODS, RESULTS, CONCLUSIONS) can be renamed to create a better layout for your project. Don’t forget to go into Format in the menu bar above and use the Align option to align all text boxes and figures/tables to create a clean look to your poster. Fig 3. Include a photo or figure legend that clearly describes what the photo/fig is displaying. If it contains two parts, label one part (a) and the other (b). Don’t forget to refer to the photo/fig in the text. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Congrats! You are almost done creating your poster! Take the time to reflect on your experience and all the professionals that helped you complete this community project. Thank all of your community partners, teachers, and funding sources that helped you complete this project. Keep it brief, but be thoughtful. REFERENCES Include a bibliography of all literature cited in the poster. This section should be short.