Backboard Lay-Out 101

Your backboard is like an advertisement for your project! It shows your teacher, classmates, and fair judges the hard work you put into your project. You want your backboard to be neat, professional, and interesting.

Ideas for Creating a Great Board:

1. Determine the materials you'll need. Will you use a cardboard, foamcore, or plywood board? Materials vary, but most students use a 3-panelled board that can stand on its own. Will you cover it in cloth or felt? Other items you might use: markers, Construction paper, double-sided tape, glue stick, rubber cement, staple gun, ruler, measuring tape, pencil.

2. Plan the lay-out of your board before you stick anything on. What will you put where? Lay your information out and move it around to find the best organization for you. Remember, you'll use your backboard during your presentation to the judges. Make sure things are easy to read and flow smoothly.

3. Be creative! If you experimented on plants, glue the plant packet to your board, or display a picture of the plants. (But no live plants in your display. Check with your teacher as to what is and isn't allowed.) Use photos you took during your experiment, drawings, or other creative illustrations of your experiment.

4. Have someone proofread your board before the fair. Ask a friend, your older brohter, or your parent to look it over to make sure your board is free of spelling and grammar mistakes.

5. Take an emergency kit, just in case! Pack tape, extra copies of your papers, mats, ans anythign else you might need if your board falls over, something gets knocked off, you have to carry it in the rain, etc.