This document explains how to design a good display for your science fair project.

1. examples: Research Question,
APDE Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure,
CENTROESCOLAR Results and Data, Conclusions, and
Recommendations. The project title
SOLALTO should go at the top of the center
panel, and the remaining material
Science Department needs to be placed neatly in some
order. Figure 1 shows one way of
How to Produce a Good placing the material. The heading
“Recommendations", should follow
Science Fair the conclusions and contain a brief
Display description of plans for future
development of the project.
The science fair display represents all
the work that you have done. It should The display should be designed in such
consist of a backboard, the project a way that the appraisers will
report, and anything that represents remember it positively. So before
the project, such as models made, everything is glued down, all headings
items studied, photographs, surveys, and visuals should be laid on a flat
and the like. It must tell the story of surface where you should try arranging
the project in such a way that it attracts them in a few different ways. This will
and holds the interest of the viewer. It help you decide on the most suitable
has to be thorough, but not too and attractive presentation. Figure 1
crowded, so it must be kept simple. shows what a good display might look
like.
A three-sided backboard will be used by
each group during this year’s science
fair final round. The size of the display
is 140 cm wide and 100 cm high.
The display must be divided in three
parts. The sides must have 35 cm
wide and the central part 70 cm.
These are standard measurements. For
items placed on the backboard, colors
that stand out but don't distract the
viewer from the material being
presented should be selected.
The title and other headings should be
neat and large enough to be read at a
distance of about 3 feet (1 m). A short
title is often eye-catching. Self-sticking
letters of various sizes and colors for
the title and headings can be purchased
at office supply stores and which can
later be stuck to the backboard. Letters
can be cut out of construction paper. A
word processor can also be used to
print the title and other headings.
Figure 1: Example of a Good Display
Some teachers have set rules about the
position of the information on the
backboard. The following headings are

2. Do balance the arrangement of
materials on the backboard. This means
evenly distributing the materials on the
Helpful Hints board so that they cover about the
same amount of space on each panel.
1. All typed material should be
placed on a colored backing, Do use glue sticks or double-sided tape
such as construction paper. A to attach graphs, results, photographs
border of 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.63 or others to construction paper. White
to 1.25 cm) should be left school glue causes the paper to wrinkle.
around the edges of each piece
of typed material.
Don't leave large empty spaces on the
2. It is a good idea to make the backboard.
project title stand out by using
larger letters for it and smaller
Don't leave the table in front of the
letters for all other headings.
backboard empty. Display your models
3. If electricity is needed for the (if any), report, copies of your abstract,
project, be sure the wiring and your journal here.
meets all safety standards.
4. You may bring an emergency kit Don't hang electrical equipment on the
with extra letters, glue, tape, backboard so that the electric cord runs
construction paper, stapler, down the front of the backboard.
scissors, pencils, pens, touch-up
paint, markers, and so forth.
Don't make the title or headings hard
This kit should contain anything
to read by using uneven lettering,
you might need to make last-
words with letters of different colors, or
minute repairs to your display.
disorganized placement of materials.
Do's and Don'ts Don't attach folders that fall open on
the backboard.
Do use computer-generated graphs.
Don't make mistakes in spelling words
Do display photos representing the or writing formulas.
procedure and the results.
Do use contrasting colors. Safety
Do limit the number of colors used.
Basically, anything that is or could be
hazardous to other students or the
public is prohibited and cannot be
Figure 2: Example of a Bad Display displayed. The following is a list of
things unacceptable for display. This
Do display models when applicable. If prevents students from working on an
possible, make the models match the unsafe project and from wasting time
color scheme of the backboard. on a project that would be disqualified.
Models or photographs can be used
Do attach charts neatly. If there are instead of things that are restricted
many, place them on top of each other from display.
so that the top chart can be lifted to
reveal the ones below.

3. Unacceptable for Display
• Live animals
• Microbial cultures or fungi, living or dead
• Animal or human parts, except for teeth, hair, nails, and dried animal bones
• Liquids, including water
• Chemicals and/or their empty containers, including caustics, acids, and
household cleaners
• Open or concealed flames
• Batteries with open-top cells
• Combustible materials
• Aerosol cans of household solvents
• Controlled substances, poisons, or drugs
• Any equipment or device that would be hazardous to the public
• Sharp items, such as syringes, knives, and needles
• Gases
Examples of Science Fair Displays