Elevate your science fair project or trade show booth with a simple, effective display board presentation.
Science fairs, trade shows, and classroom bulletin boards all use the display board to promote work, sum up activities and inform others. The key to creating a successful display board for any purpose is to clearly lay out the information. Incorporate graphics that support and promote the text. Use simple, attractive colors that allow the viewer to easily read the text. Be sure information flows logically. Incorporating an interactive element helps keep viewers involved with the presentation.
Planning
According to River Edge School--which hosts an online science fair handbook--it is best to begin construction of a display board design by sketching it on paper. Lay out where the title, text, graphics and other pertinent information will go and analyze the sketch prior to placing information on the board. This allows the board creator to have an objective look at the flow of information prior to beginning the board’s construction.
Layout
The layout of a display board should be logical, otherwise a viewer may get lost in the text and graphics without understanding the message. According to the Science Buddies website--which offers resources and ideas for student science fairs--it is best to organize display boards for science fairs or other information-driven boards like a newspaper. The information and graphics should flow from top to bottom and then left to right. People are familiar with this layout and should not have trouble working in this manner.
Colors and Text
Text should be large enough to be legible, and in an easy-to-read font. The Science Buddies website recommends using a simple font in at least a 16 point size. River Edge School recommends using colors to set heading and text apart from one another, which helps guide the eye through the presentation board. Use colors that contrast with the board but are not jarring, and back blocks of text with colored construction paper to further enhance readability.
Graphics
Like text and color choice, the graphics on a display board must be simple to interpret, colorful and visually interesting. Place graphics in separated blocks throughout the board. Include graphics that "tell the story." For example, feature graphics that display the parts of an experiment from beginning to end. This way, a viewer will understand the display even if they do not take the time to read the text. For bulletin boards, choose complementary, bright colors to encourage viewers to take the time to stop and view the work displayed.
Interactive Elements
Encourage viewers to spend time at your display board by including an interactive element. Give them samples of products, graphs and pie charts to view, or a mini hands-on activity associated with a product or experiment. Calendars and charts make effective classroom bulletins because students must fill in the information, allowing them to engage with the display.
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