PowerPoint:a popular, easy-to-use option. Is is part of the Microsoft 365 Copilot (formerly Office) package and is available on all computers in the Pellissippi State Libraries and the Open Labs.
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign:Features-rich professional software that is good for posters including lots of high-resolution images, but they are more complex and expensive. Students can access the Adobe Creative cloud on the iMacs in the Open Lab.
Participants for the 2025 Science Fair will need to include the following content in their research posters:
Title: The title should be an accurate and concise description of your project. Place the title prominently at the top of your poster.
Abstract: Provide a brief summary (100-250 words) of your project, including your research question, hypothesis, methods, key results, and conclusion. This section should give judges a quick overview of your work.
Purpose/Question: Clearly state the objective of your project. Explain why you chose this topic and its relevance to scientific research. Summarize key background information that led to your hypothesis.
Hypothesis: Explicitly state your hypothesis or research question. A hypothesis should be a testable statement predicting the outcome of your experiment. This is commonly written as an “if/then” statement.
Background and Research: Look for and summarize previous research or experiments related to your topic. Describe any different techniques or methods you’ll be incorporating in your experiment and differentiating your hypothesis. Use credible sources such as peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and reputable websites to understand existing knowledge on your topic.
Materials and Procedure: List all materials used in your experiment. Describe the step-by-step process you followed in your experiment. Include diagrams or images to illustrate your setup. Reference your detailed notes from your notebook.
Results: Present the raw data you collected in tables, charts, or graphs. Use visuals to help interpret and communicate your findings. In your own words explain trends or patterns in your data.
Visuals (graphs, figures, images created by you or cited if sourced elsewhere): Include photographs, diagrams, and charts to enhance understanding. All visuals must be original or properly cited.
Conclusions and Future work: Summarize whether your hypothesis was supported or refuted. Discuss key findings, potential errors, and suggestions for future research.
References (using APA format): Cite at least three credible sources in APA format. References should appear in three locations: on your poster, in your notebook, and during your oral presentation.
