Visual Display Ideas and Suggestions

Backboard Materials
A display board consisting of three panels is stable and can be folded up for transportation. Use a sturdy, light-weight material. You want the display to stand well on its own but it also needs to be light for carrying. White cardboard backboards work well and can be purchased at the Weber State University Science Store on floor 5 of the Science Lab building or many schools may have boards that you could borrow or purchase. Insulation panels can be purchased at local hardware stores. When covered these panels can be joined to make a backboard. Foam core also works great and is available from local stores. Foam core is an all-white material that can be slit halfway through its thickness to form the side panels. This is a fast and easy method for getting an attractive backboard. Wood construction tends to be heavy and cumbersome to transport. Remember the display cannot exceed 198 cm in height (78 inches) or 274cm(108 inches) high (from floor to top of project), 76 cm (30 in) deep, front to back; and 122 cm (48 in) wide, side to side.
 
Covering a Backboard
If the display backboard needs covering, using poster paper will add color and interest to the display. Some students prefer to cover the board with some type of fabric. Check remnant tables in fabric stores; they often have just enough fabric to do the job at an inexpensive price.
 
Attaching Papers to the Backboard
Since many papers need to be attached to the board it is a good idea to use an adhesive glue that works easily and holds well.

Title
Your project title should catch attention, create interest, and yet simply and accurately present the contents of your project. Titles usually look best done in clear bold type large enough that they can be read from a distance.

Hypothesis
It is important to display the hypothesis of your project. This helps to give the judges an idea of what was studied. Remember that a hypothesis does not have to be correct in order for the project to be valid.

Procedure
A condensed version of the procedure used in the project should be displayed so that judges can understand what was done.

Results and Conclusions
Depending on the type of project that has been conducted, results may be displayed in the form of a graph, table, and diagram or written statement. The conclusion should tell what has been learned in conducting the experiment.

Include Photographs
You may want to through different phases of the project. Photographs not only enhance the look of the display but they help to communicate the important aspects of a project.

Be Organized
Make sure that the display is logically presented and easy to read. At a glance, anyone should be able to locate the title, hypothesis, procedure, results and conclusion.

Be Creative
Make your display stand out. Use appropriate colors and make sure that the display looks clean, clear and orderly. Your display often makes the first impression on the judges.

Other Items to Display
Your lab book should be displayed along with your project so that judges can examine your experimental data and procedure. You may also wish to display some of the equipment, plants, etc. used in conducting your experiment. Use these items if they will help judges to better understand what the project is about