Tips on Designing an ISEF Affiliated Science Fair

Tips on Designing an ISEF Affiliated Science Fair Project Display Board 10/30/2020 1

What a Well-Designed Project Board Should Accomplish n n n Provides judges and the public with an overview of your project when you are not there to explain Emphasizes succinctly the scope of the project, the nature of the research, and the results Demonstrates your authority as a researcher by the neatness and correctness of the information presented 10/30/2020 2

Considerations before You Begin n n Type of Display: n Tabletop (Note: If a table is used, the height, width, n Freestanding and depth of the table must be considered part of the project and figured in with the total dimensions of the project. Origin of Board: n n Commercial Self-made 10/30/2020 3

MAXIMUM Size of your Display n Junior Division (6 th, 7 th, 8 th grade): n n 36” wide (left to right), 24” deep (front to back), and 9 feet tall (floor to top of display – table height is 36”) Senior Division (9 th through 12 th grade): n 48” wide (left to right), 30” deep (front to back), and 9 feet tall (floor to top of display – table height is 36”) 10/30/2020 4

n Another consideration in choosing materials to create a display board is the final weight of the display. You must carry your project into Cobo Hall unassisted. 10/30/2020 5

Examples of Freestanding Displays 10/30/2020 6

Tabletop Displays 10/30/2020 7

A Few Rules to Follow n n Keep the display simple. Avoid clutter. Judges and the public viewing the board must be able to comprehend quickly what your research involved. Use no more than two or three colors, and choose colors appropriate to your subject. Arrange the information logically. Label all data tables, charts, graphs, or photographs you use. 10/30/2020 8

What the Board Should Display Purpose Hypothesis Title (Keep it simple) Graphs Results Conclusion Abstract Materials Pictures Other Required Paperwork Procedure Data 10/30/2020 9

The Project Title n n Again, keep it simple and short. It should be readable from a minimum of six feet. Try to develop a phrasing that captures attention but succinctly represents your research. 10/30/2020 10

Regulated Research Institution Form 1 C n If a research institution is used, a copy of Form 1 C must be vertically displayed. 10/30/2020 11

Human Subjects Form 4 n If photos of human subjects are displayed in the project, the Human Subjects Form 4 must be available in a notebook for an inspector to check. These forms should not be displayed in order to protect the anonymity of human subjects. 10/30/2020 12

Other Display Considerations n In addition to displaying required paperwork and a summary explanation of the research project procedure and conclusions, the Finalist may want to include the following: Graphs of data that represents depth of research or conclusions n Pictures or illustrations of procedures n Data books n Mock-ups of specific designs, or laptop illustrations of procedures, etc. n 10/30/2020 13

The aforementioned are permitted in a display as long as they do not include items Not Allowed for Display, such as the following: n n n n living organisms (including plants) taxidermy specimens preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals human/animal food human/animal parts or body fluids chemicals drugs and other items listed in the Rules. Complete list of rules available at this site: http: //societyforscience. org/isef/document/ 10/30/2020 14

Other Points to Consider In developing a display, you should also be certain to do the following: n Credit all images/photos n Make backup copies of all paperwork in case any is lost or misplaced n Develop a way to secure a laptop or any permitted piece of equipment to prevent theft n No electric power is available at Cobo Hall 10/30/2020 15

Examples of Items Not Allowed The example on right illustrates soil or waste materials not properly sealed in acrylic. The example at left illustrates plant and soil materials properly encased in acrylic. 10/30/2020 16

Photographs of vertebrate animals in lab procedures, unnatural environments, or stress situations not allowed Containers of plants and dirt not allowed. Glass items not allowed. 10/30/2020 17

Sharp objects, such as this needle, are not allowed. Plant and other dried materials scattered for decoration are not allowed. 10/30/2020 18

How to Credit Photos/Images n Any photos, images, and graphs used in the display must be credited. If the finalist created all photos/images, a single credit is sufficient. 10/30/2020 19

Examples of Typical Violations Project 2 Project 1 Unofficial abstracts displayed 10/30/2020 Project 3 No Photo Credits Inappropriate pictures of animals 20

Correct Freestanding Display § All equipment displayed here meets safety regulations. § Paperwork hanging at top of display permitted. § No awards, acknowledgments, handouts, etc. , or addresses other than Finalist’s are visible. 10/30/2020 21

Correct Display Using Table Provided By ISEF §Tri-fold board does not extend over edges of the provided table, which is 30” by 48”. §Required paperwork is properly displayed on front of table. §All images properly credited 10/30/2020 22

Other Resources n ISEF Rules Wizard http: //www. societyforscience. org/isef/students/wizard/index. asp The Rules Wizard has been designed as a first step to help you determine what forms and approvals are necessary before beginning a science fair project intended for competition at an ISEF-affiliated fair or the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. n D & S Inspectors Manual: http: //www. societyforscience. org/isef/document/hubman. asp This site contains a training PPt. for Host Committee D & S Inspectors that provides additional information on appropriate displays. n SRC Power. Point: http: //www. societyforscience. org/isef/ The Scientific Review Power. Point reviews regulations for projects. Reviews role of supervisors, etc. , and all required paperwork. 10/30/2020 23

Where to Purchase Boards n n http: //www. officedepot. com/ http: //www. staples. com/ http: //www. showboard. com/ http: //www. sciencebuddies. org/mentoring /project_display_board_advanced_design. shtml 10/30/2020 24

ISEF Society For Science Contacts for Additional Information n n John Cole, Chair of ISEF Display & Safety Committee, dejavu 60@msn. com Nancy Aiello, SRC@societyforscience. org 10/30/2020 25