Science Fair 911 – Display Boards

By Blog Editor Susan Wells

You’ve picked the perfect project, pulled together your materials and variables, conducted your experiment. You can see the finish line. But there is one last piece of the science fair project that remains…the project display board.

I’ve been surprised in my working with students and their parents that the display board can make even the most confident scientists to break out in a sweat.

Don’t sweat the display board – this is where your hard work and creativity really get to shine. It is a display that tells the story of all of your efforts and gives the first impression of your project.

Here are a few tips: 

  • Keep it simple, neat and organized.
  • Start with a powerful title. You want to grab the judges’ and visitors’ attention. A title like “Mentos and Diet Coke Geysers” is nice, but it doesn’t jump out. Try something like “Icky Sticky Soda Geysers – Which One Makes the Biggest Mess?”
  • Use your imagination and make it attractive. Use pictures, 3-D objects, colors, graphs, charts or illustrations to draw in your audience.
  • Know your facts. Make sure your report, data, materials and conclusions are all well-written and thoroughly researched.
  • Practice and review. Practice your science fair speech in front of friends and family. Ask them to ask you questions about your project and rehearse your answers.

A good science fair project includes: 

BIG QUESTION: What are you trying to find out?
HYPOTHESIS: An “I think … “ statement. What do you think will happen?
MATERIALS: A list of supplies for your experiment
VARIABLE: Something that changes in your experiment
PROCEDURE: The steps you take to run your tests
DATA: A graph or chart that shows the results of your test
BIG DISCOVERY: What happened? Explain your results
CONCLUSION: So what? What did you learn?
I WONDER: What does your experiment make you wonder about?

Here is a sample of how to lay out your board: 

Science Fair Board Example Steve Spangler Science

26 replies
  1. Shannon
    Shannon says:

    Love the layout for the board. This was so helpful to my students as we prepare for our school science fair. It also gives my sons a great resource to use. I will be referencing this on my site!

    Primary Education Oasis

    Reply
  2. Sarah
    Sarah says:

    We’re really looking forward to the science fair! Our group has decided to do their project on the water cycle, but we’re having trouble coming up with a variable aside from leaving out moisture entirely (no water, no evaporation). Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Susan Wells
      Susan Wells says:

      Hi Sarah – it depends on exactly what your project is focused on. Remember to ask a question and then find ways to answer that question by making changes. What will alter my results if I make this change? Good luck!

      Reply
  3. Subi
    Subi says:

    Hi,
    I was wondering what would be a good display for my science fair project. It is about the effects of exercise on Blood Pressure

    Reply
  4. Crystal
    Crystal says:

    Thank you so much! This is helps me so much as we start my Science Fair. I forgot how all the things you need to write/type. This gives me a picture of how my board should look like.

    Reply
  5. Karina Salcedo
    Karina Salcedo says:

    Hello! I need help with figuring out creative ways to make my display board! My project is “the effect of videogames on the human body” and it increases your breathing rate, heart rate, and pain tolerance. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Avani
    Avani says:

    Hey! I was wondering how can I can display my data for the changes in the clarity of a picture when the number of colors changes. Thank you in advance.

    Reply
  7. Carmela
    Carmela says:

    Hi!

    This is great. A super simple question: What do you use to make the actual board, and how big should it be? My son is in first grade, and we are doing this for the first time.

    Thanks!

    Carmela

    Reply
  8. Joseph Davenport
    Joseph Davenport says:

    The information given above is highly relevant. The post reveals some burning questions and issues that ought to be discussed and explained. Furthermore, it’s vital to comprehend within the very detail. In the post, one can easily find something fundamental,
    unusually for him/her, something that can be extremely helpful.

    So I am delighted with the data I have just obtained.
    Thanks a lot!

    Reply
    • smack2021
      smack2021 says:

      Hi Aria, I don’t think you will find examples since we do not have to write reports when doing our experiments. Good luck!

      Reply
  9. Hairstyles
    Hairstyles says:

    Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.

    Reply
  10. HI Hairstyles
    HI Hairstyles says:

    Great article and right to the point. I am not sure if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you guys have any thoughts on where to employ some professional writers? Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  11. TT
    TT says:

    guys i have i science fair project but i feel no motivation to do it. I’m already tired and drained from school. Christmas is coming i don’t feel happy. There’s nothing in my life to look forward to no more. This is the most sad and depressed iv’e ever been. But i’m just trying to pass Science class

    Reply

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