1. Display Boards Most science fairs use display boards to help students communicate their experiments to others. Each group will create one display board for their experiment. Your experiments and display boards will be judged by teachers from the MHS!

2. Title People have to know what the project is about, but it should be different from your question. Get people's attention! Use letters large enough to be seen from further away. The title should be centered at the top of the board.

3. Flow Here is an example of good flow. Notice how the numbered sections go along a nice, predictable pattern.

4. Flow Here is an example of poor flow. Notice that the sections go linearly, but fail to go in a predictable pattern. This last example is just silly. There is no flow, no chronology, nothing.

5. Here is an example of good balance. Notice all the pictures and text are evenly spread out across the layout. This gives the eye a chance to move about from one idea to another easily without getting lost in information.

6. Now, here is an example of poor balance. Notice how the display is lopsided and ugly.

7. Color Color is very important in the display of ideas. Color can convey a sense of professionalism, neatness, and organization when used correctly. Conversely, when used incorrectly, color can show immaturity and disinterest and can even turn people away before they even know what the project is about.

8. Color Limit color choice to two main colors. Color temperature: Colors are divided into two different types: warm and cool. – Warm colors are typically more aggressive to the eyes and can be distracting. – Cool colors are soothing and calming.

9. Color Color choices should be muted tones. Make sure the text and background colors are distinct and unique. – Tone-on-tone mistake: when two colors of the same tone are used near each other

10. Add-Ons Avoid bells and whistles! Things should be to-the-point, efficient, and most importantly, on topic. – Don’t put flowers on it unless the project is about flowers. – If the project is about frogs, go ahead and put a frog or two on the board, but no one wants to see 35 frogs all over the place. Add simple visual accents to your board. Do not make the board too busy or it becomes difficult to read. – Use color construction paper to add accents to your display board.

11. Extra Reminders Include all the necessary information (on the checklist) Include pictures Text size (at least 16 point) Neat Proofread