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Project Titles

1. Avoid phrases such as “de novo” or “novel approach” as these have become overused in most competitions.
2. Your title should describe your work and why it is unique from other similar projects e.g. “Detecting Cancer Using Electromagnetic Fields” is a better title than “Medicine and Magnetism.”
3. Be very careful if you decide to include puns in your project title. Get advice from your teachers, advisors, parents, and classmates to ensure it’s something relatable and appropriate. Judges may find certain jokes unprofessional.

Board Construction

1. A standard 36″ wide (914 mm) by 48″ tall (1219 mm) tri-fold board is sufficient for most projects.
2. Cardboard or foam-core boards are reasonably strong, durable, and lightweight. Metal or plastic frames can be heavy and difficult to carry.
3. Some students use a tri-fold board with a single flat title card that interlocks across the top to make the assembly more rigid and secure.
4. Flat (no folds) or very tall boards will need additional support to prop them up. Ensure your board will stand on its own without falling over.
5. Avoid glossy paper as lights may cause glare.
6. The most common approach is to print text, images, or graphs and glue them directly to the board.
7. Another option is to print a full size poster and attach it to the board either permanently with adhesive, or temporarily with push pins or binder clips at the edges.
8. If you have any items to display on the table in front of your board, be sure they aren’t too tall which could block text or images.

Clarity and Consistency

1. Large text and titles should be easy to read when standing 5-6 feet away from your board.
2. Paragraphs and descriptions should be no smaller than a size 12 font.
3. Summarize your project and be concise. Students can provide more details when speaking with judges. Describing every step in a process or day-to-day tasks is best saved for your log book or project journal.
4. Clearly label sections of your display board in an easy to read, reasonably spaced font with even kerning.
5. Avoid fonts with curls, embellishments, or elaborate strokes.
6. Arrange sections in a logical progression from one step to the next.
7. Emphasize the type and amount of data collected, the number of trials, and any revisions to your approach. Science is an iterative process and judges like to see how students adapt to challenges. Learning from failures is highly encouraged and worth sharing.
8. Use typed or printed content for your display board. Handwriting in pencil, pen, or marker should be avoided when possible.
9. Use a high contrast between text and backgrounds to improve readability such as light on dark or dark on light.
10. Limit your palette to two or three colors when possible. Too many colors can be distracting.

Final Advice To Students

1. Always do a final check of the ISEF Display & Safety Rules once your display board is nearly complete to catch potential problems before you arrive at the fair.
2. If you are unsure of how to best proceed, don’t hesitate to contact us and ask!