Science Fair Board Ideas

What Do You Need To Put On A Science Fair Board?

Ok, you have come up with your science project idea, experimented and now it is time to create the presentation board.

Grade Level Recommendation: While this outline is not grade specific, it will work best with 3rd grade through 6th grade science projects. Younger students may use more visuals while older students may focus more heavily on text and charts to draw deeper conclusions.

TIP: Allow your kids to create the presentation board themselves! You can provide the materials needed (paper, markers, double-sided tape, glue stick, etc.) and help them plan out the visuals, but then let them have a go at it!

Data is really the main focus of your science project, and there are many ways to collect and display this information so it’s visually interesting for the judges and viewers.

Here are several ways to display your data on your science fair board…

• Table – a set of facts or figures displayed in rows and columns.
• Chart – a graphical representation of data.
• Notes – brief records of facts, topics, or thoughts.
• Observations – what you notice happening through your senses or with science tools.
• Laboratory Notebook – an official recording of events over a period of time.
• Photos – visual recordings of your results or processes.
• Diagrams – a simplified drawing showing the appearance or structure of something.

—> Looking for the top 10 science fair project ideas? Check out these easy science fair projects!

Basic Science Board Supplies

Here’s a list of basic supplies you’ll need to create a science fair project board for elementary school grades:

Tri-Fold or Three-Panel Display Board

• Standard Size: Most common boards are 36″ x 48″. Self-standing is best.
• Material: Foam board, foam core, or cardboard in a neutral color like white or black.

Title Letters or Stencils

• Large, bold letters to make the project title stand out.
• You can use letter stickers, pre-cut paper letters, or stencils to create uniform lettering.

Markers or Paint

• For creating titles, borders, and section headings. Letter stickers also work well.
• Bold colors work best for visibility (use a dark color like black or blue for text and a brighter color for borders).

Printed Text (Typed)

• Print out your text sections (such as the hypothesis, procedures, results, etc.) on a computer and glue or tape them to the board.
• Tip: Use a readable font size (14-16pt) and keep text blocks brief and to the point.

Glue Stick or Double-Sided Tape

• Attaching text, photos, and charts to the display board neatly.

Scissors or Paper Cutter

• Trim printed papers, photos, or graphics neatly before attaching them.

Photos or Drawings

• Printed images of your experiment in progress or draw diagrams that help explain your project.
• Mount them on colored paper to make them stand out.

Colored Construction Paper or Card Stock

• Use sheets of paper for creating borders, backing text, or drawing attention to important sections. Stick to 2-3 colors to keep the board cohesive.

Ruler or Straight Edge

• Ensure straight lines when cutting paper or aligning text and images on the board.

Charts, Graphs, and Diagrams

• Printed from a computer or hand-drawn on white paper to display results in an easy-to-understand format.
• Use colored pencils or markers to make the graphs clear.

Adhesive Velcro Dots (Optional)

• You can add interactive elements, like flaps or small objects that can be removed from the board.

Decorations (Optional)

• Stickers, borders, or small decorations related to the theme of your project (e.g., stars for a space project).

Sticky Notes (Optional)

• This is for labeling or marking additional points that need attention.

Basic Layout (Three-Panel Board)

Here is a list of items to include on your science fair board. You’ll find our free printable labels below. They are ideal for classroom use or to send home.

Title (Center Top)

• Place the project title in large, bold letters at the top center of the board.
• Make it engaging and relevant to the experiment.
• Add a visual element, like a small picture or colorful border, to draw attention.

Left Panel: Introduction and Research

• Question/Problem: The scientific question the project addresses.
• Hypothesis: What you think will happen, presented in a clear and concise statement.
• Background Research: A brief section explaining the science behind your topic.

Center Panel: Procedures and Results

• Materials: List of materials used, presented in a neat bullet-point format.
• Variables: List independent, dependent, and controlled variables.
• Procedure: The step-by-step process of the experiment, listed or illustrated with photos. Include each step of your science project.
• Data/Results: Present the data collected. Use charts, graphs, and pictures to display results visually, ensuring they’re easy to understand.

Right Panel: Conclusion and Reflection

• Conclusion: A summary of what happened during the experiment and whether the hypothesis was correct.
• Reflection/Next Steps: Discuss what could be improved or explored further in future experiments.

Additional Sections

• Photos/Visuals: Include images of the experiment at each stage.
• Acknowledgments: Thank people who helped with the project, like parents or teachers.

Helpful Hints and Tips

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT PACK AND TEMPLATES!

Science Fair Project Ideas

Looking for easy science fair project ideas? Start with one of these fun science projects.

• Reaction Time Experiment
• Stroop Test
• Color Taste Test
• Plant Growth Experiment
• What Colors Absorb Heat Better
• Airplane Science Fair

Pin

Pin

Pin

Pin

Pin

Pin

Printable Science Projects Pack

💡 Includes an expanded Science Fair pack with experiments to try.