1. Creating an EffectiveCreating an Effective
Board PresentationBoard Presentation
Mercer Science and Engineering Club
3 Creek Rim Drive
Titusville , NJ 08560

2. OverviewOverview
• The starting point:The starting point: good researchgood research
• Why is the presentation importantWhy is the presentation important
• What needs to be includedWhat needs to be included
• Laying out the boardLaying out the board
• Choosing fonts and figuresChoosing fonts and figures
• Simplify, simplify, simplifySimplify, simplify, simplify
• Construction TipsConstruction Tips
KISS (Keep it simple, stupid)KISS (Keep it simple, stupid)

3. Good Research: It’s a startGood Research: It’s a start
• You can’t hide bad research with aYou can’t hide bad research with a
fancy presentationfancy presentation
• Good research does not sell itselfGood research does not sell itself
• Not all details are equally importantNot all details are equally important
• You will know what should beYou will know what should be
presented. It is simply a matter of how.presented. It is simply a matter of how.
• A research paper and researchA research paper and research
documents complement a presentationdocuments complement a presentation

4. Why The Presentation Is ImportantWhy The Presentation Is Important
• It helps sell your project and resultsIt helps sell your project and results
• Elementary and Junior DivisionElementary and Junior Division
– Entries are judged exclusively on theEntries are judged exclusively on the
presentationpresentation
• Senior DivisionSenior Division
– Judging includes both the presentation andJudging includes both the presentation and
an oral defensean oral defense
– The presentation is the backdrop for theThe presentation is the backdrop for the
oral defenseoral defense

5. Presentation Components IPresentation Components I
• RequiredRequired
– BoardBoard
– AbstractAbstract (can be on its own stand)(can be on its own stand)
• RecommendedRecommended
– Research paperResearch paper
– Research documentsResearch documents
– Detailed resultsDetailed results
– Abstract handoutsAbstract handouts

6. Presentation Components IIPresentation Components II
• OptionalOptional
– Audio/video presentation if it augments theAudio/video presentation if it augments the
static, board presentationstatic, board presentation
– Project artifacts if useful for oral presentationProject artifacts if useful for oral presentation
(senior division)(senior division)
– Artifacts built by studentArtifacts built by student (photos recommended)(photos recommended)
• Not RecommendedNot Recommended
– Project artifacts not used for oral presentationProject artifacts not used for oral presentation
– Tools used for experimentationTools used for experimentation

7. What The Presentation DoesWhat The Presentation Does
• Attracts attention to the projectAttracts attention to the project
• Provides the initial introduction to viewersProvides the initial introduction to viewers
of the project (i.e. judges)of the project (i.e. judges)
• Provides organized overview of the projectProvides organized overview of the project
• Visual aid when describing a projectVisual aid when describing a project
• Helps students organize their thoughtsHelps students organize their thoughts
when describing their project to judgeswhen describing their project to judges
• A picture is worth a thousand wordsA picture is worth a thousand words

8. Target Your AudienceTarget Your Audience
• Decide who is the target audienceDecide who is the target audience
– Judges, teachers, parents, studentsJudges, teachers, parents, students
• Design presentation to use termsDesign presentation to use terms
familiar to the target audiencefamiliar to the target audience
• Explain unfamiliar terms or proceduresExplain unfamiliar terms or procedures
• Use drawings and explanations thatUse drawings and explanations that
target the audience’s level oftarget the audience’s level of
understandingunderstanding

9. Presentation Tells A StoryPresentation Tells A Story
• The board should speak for itselfThe board should speak for itself
• Photos and drawings should enhancePhotos and drawings should enhance
the story, not the way the presentationthe story, not the way the presentation
lookslooks
• The sequence of the story should beThe sequence of the story should be
obviousobvious

10. What needs to be includedWhat needs to be included
on the boardon the board
• TitleTitle
• ProblemProblem
• HypothesisHypothesis
• MaterialsMaterials
• MethodsMethods
• DataData
• AnalysisAnalysis
• ConclusionConclusion
• AbstractAbstract (may be free standing)(may be free standing)
• Recommended itemsRecommended items
• BenefitsBenefits
• Optional itemsOptional items
• Future plansFuture plans
• PhotographPhotograph
acknowledgementsacknowledgements
Photograph taken by …

11. What NOT to include on the boardWhat NOT to include on the board
• Your nameYour name
• Name or logo of school or affiliationName or logo of school or affiliation
• SponsorsSponsors
• Photos of identifiable peoplePhotos of identifiable people
– Remember, it is the experiment that isRemember, it is the experiment that is
importantimportant
– Caveat:Caveat: photos relevant to the experimentphotos relevant to the experiment
can be includedcan be included

12. More on PhotosMore on Photos
• Photos of researcher can be included only ifPhotos of researcher can be included only if
they are showing something relevant to thethey are showing something relevant to the
research that could not be shown otherwiseresearch that could not be shown otherwise
• No photos showing identifiable peopleNo photos showing identifiable people
• Any photographs showing identifiable people,Any photographs showing identifiable people,
other than the student investigator(s), mustother than the student investigator(s), must
have a signed release formhave a signed release form
• No photographs of body parts or tissue,No photographs of body parts or tissue,
except those allowed by ISEF rulesexcept those allowed by ISEF rules

13. Laying out the boardLaying out the board
Model it first. It’s easierModel it first. It’s easier
Project TitleProject Title
Problem
Hypothesis
Materials Methods
Analysis
Conclusion
Data Photos

14. Where The Eye GoesWhere The Eye Goes
Decide what, when and where a viewer should lookDecide what, when and where a viewer should look
Project TitleProject Title
Problem
Hypothesis
Materials Methods
Analysis
Conclusion
Data Photo
Title 1st
Problem 2nd
Data 3rd Analysis 4th

15. Choosing fonts and figuresChoosing fonts and figures
• Dont’sDont’s
– MMiXiiXiNNgg FFφηφηττss IIS nS nφφtt αα ggσοδσοδ IIδεδεaa
– TToooo mmaanyny cololoorrs aarre babadd
• Do’sDo’s
– Fonts tipsFonts tips
– Figures and PhotosFigures and Photos
– Constructing a complex pageConstructing a complex page

16. Font Tips IFont Tips I
• Use as few fonts as necessaryUse as few fonts as necessary
• San serif fonts like Arial work best onSan serif fonts like Arial work best on
presentationspresentations
• Use serif fonts in research paperUse serif fonts in research paper
• Use fonts likeUse fonts like CooperCooper for titlesfor titles
• Look for free fonts on InternetLook for free fonts on Internet (www.1001freefonts.com)(www.1001freefonts.com)
• NEVER USE ALL CAPSNEVER USE ALL CAPS
– It is hard to readIt is hard to read
– UseUse BoldBold,, ItalicItalic oror ColorColor insteadinstead

17. Font Tips IIFont Tips II
• Use same font and color for similar uses such asUse same font and color for similar uses such as
explanations of theexplanations of the ProblemProblem oror ConclusionConclusion
• Choosing font sizeChoosing font size
– Must be readable from at least 3 feet awayMust be readable from at least 3 feet away
– Size should be related to surrounding textSize should be related to surrounding text
– Size should indicate the text’s importanceSize should indicate the text’s importance
– Titles should not giant while explanations areTitles should not giant while explanations are
microscopicmicroscopic

18. Figures and PhotosFigures and Photos
• Should be viewable fromShould be viewable from at least 3 feet awayat least 3 feet away
• Figures should be as simple as possibleFigures should be as simple as possible
– Use thick, not thin linesUse thick, not thin lines
– Use colors judiciouslyUse colors judiciously
– Use legends when necessaryUse legends when necessary
• Scan and print photosScan and print photos
– Allows captions and acknowledgements to beAllows captions and acknowledgements to be
included on same piece of paperincluded on same piece of paper
– Annotations like arrows can be addedAnnotations like arrows can be added

19. • Take lots of photos of the same thingTake lots of photos of the same thing
– Choose the bestChoose the best
– Different angles can eliminate glare and highlightDifferent angles can eliminate glare and highlight
aspects of the projectaspects of the project
– Try close ups, multiple items in photoTry close ups, multiple items in photo
– Where does the photo fit in the storyWhere does the photo fit in the story
• Scan and edit photosScan and edit photos
– Crop:Crop: allows larger images, eliminates extraneousallows larger images, eliminates extraneous
detailsdetails
– Print and try adjustments: a printed image looks differentPrint and try adjustments: a printed image looks different
from it viewed on a displayfrom it viewed on a display
• Digital cameras:Digital cameras: Always use highest resolutionAlways use highest resolution
Taking PhotosTaking Photos

20. Constructing A PageConstructing A Page
• KISS – use a single page of paper forKISS – use a single page of paper for
each item if possibleeach item if possible
• Generate pages using a wordGenerate pages using a word
processor, presentation or drawingprocessor, presentation or drawing
programprogram
• Use color printer to add borders andUse color printer to add borders and
backgroundbackground
• Don’t forget to try landscape pageDon’t forget to try landscape page
orientationorientation

21. Simplify, simplify, simplifySimplify, simplify, simplify
• KISS – Less is better. Clutter is bad.KISS – Less is better. Clutter is bad.
• Eliminate redundant or unimportantEliminate redundant or unimportant
informationinformation
• Keep titles and sentences short andKeep titles and sentences short and
conciseconcise
• Only show figures or photos that helpOnly show figures or photos that help
explain key pointsexplain key points
• Leaves more space for otherLeaves more space for other
informationinformation

22. Construction Tips IConstruction Tips I
• KISSKISS
• Double sided tape for mounting paper/photosDouble sided tape for mounting paper/photos
• Always use a paper cutterAlways use a paper cutter
• BordersBorders
– Print borders on paperPrint borders on paper
– Use a matte or colored paper to back paperUse a matte or colored paper to back paper
• Colored board backgroundColored board background
– Highlights items placed on boardHighlights items placed on board
– Buy colored backgroundBuy colored background
– Spray paintSpray paint

23. Construction Tips IIConstruction Tips II
• Maximize white background on paperMaximize white background on paper
– Minimizes print time and costMinimizes print time and cost
– Simplifies combining multiple pagesSimplifies combining multiple pages
• Use photo matte or glossy paperUse photo matte or glossy paper
– Thicker paper, nothing shows throughThicker paper, nothing shows through
– Works well with double sided tapeWorks well with double sided tape
– Best for photos and figuresBest for photos and figures
• Use same type of paper throughoutUse same type of paper throughout
presentation. Differences stand out.presentation. Differences stand out.

24. Gotch ya’sGotch ya’s
• Always use a spell checkerAlways use a spell checker
• Use a grammar checkerUse a grammar checker
• Read the rules !!!Read the rules !!!
• Catch errors early: get multiple critiquesCatch errors early: get multiple critiques
from the initial layout design to the finalfrom the initial layout design to the final
productproduct
• Remember the ISEF abstractRemember the ISEF abstract

25. Video PresentationsVideo Presentations
• The board should not require the videoThe board should not require the video
presentationpresentation
• Do not duplicate board contents in presentationDo not duplicate board contents in presentation
• Video presentation should show something thatVideo presentation should show something that
is more easily explained using a movie oris more easily explained using a movie or
animation versus a figure or photoanimation versus a figure or photo
• Do not include video presentation if it isDo not include video presentation if it is
unnecessaryunnecessary
• Keep video presentation simple and shortKeep video presentation simple and short
• Video presentation should run automaticallyVideo presentation should run automatically

26. More SuggestionsMore Suggestions
• Peer reviewPeer review
– Have students critique boards for extra creditHave students critique boards for extra credit
– Rate boards on how well they explain a projectRate boards on how well they explain a project
– Use simplified judging formsUse simplified judging forms
• Involve other teachersInvolve other teachers
– Make them aware of the projects and goals forMake them aware of the projects and goals for
improving the student’s presentation skillsimproving the student’s presentation skills
– English: effective text descriptionsEnglish: effective text descriptions
– Math and science: methods of presenting dataMath and science: methods of presenting data
– Computer: use of tools to create complex pagesComputer: use of tools to create complex pages

27. SummarySummary
• Good research means good artifacts (results)Good research means good artifacts (results)
• Presentation is important because it is sellingPresentation is important because it is selling
your project and its resultsyour project and its results
• Include all relevant informationInclude all relevant information
• Board layout catches the eye and explainsBoard layout catches the eye and explains
the detailsthe details
• Text and figures must be readable from aText and figures must be readable from a
distancedistance
• Remember KISS but complexity is relativeRemember KISS but complexity is relative