Answers: Structure extends too high and too low for easy viewing, and width exceeds dimensions usually allowed. The main title is too long. Two words are misspelled. The best display space is wasted on ordinary objects which contribute little new understanding to topic exhibited. There are too many photographs which are too small and poorly positioned for viewing. Specimen boxes positioned on the floor as an afterthought where few viewers will attempt to inspect them. Endless text provides details of little or no interest to the average viewer. More text on introductory topic (“Catching Bugs”) than on the exhibit topic. No logical progression from the original problem and hypothesis through experimentation and observation to conclusions. There is no project notebook, report, or handout brochure. No thought has been given to lighting. No points of emphasis in either text or illustrations. White space has not been exploited.
A STEP-BY-STEP ACOUNT OF HOW I MOUNT MY BUGS CATCHING BUGS MOUNTING BUGS SCIZZORS TWEEZERS PIN COTTON NET CHLOROFORM SOME OF MY BUGS
Where desired, visibility and impact of illustrations and specimens can be increased by mounting them against contrasting background colors. Avoid the amateurish impulse to always tape or paint a border around illustrations, specimens, and blocks of type. Placed properly against a contrasting background, these provide their own best border.
The final test of color is how it looks in actual use, so experiment with your color schemes before making a final choice. And if you have any doubts, invite the reactions of your family and friends and also the advice of your art teacher.
Completing Your Exhibit
Before mounting your exhibit elements on the structure permanently, lay them out temporarily. (You will probably want to move them around several times to get the best position.) You can then pencil in your title, text, and caption blocks in actual size. Use separate sheets of paper for each, and try out various locations around the materials they explain.
Use of too many letter styles will detract from the attractiveness of your exhibit. Headings can be all in capital letters, and subheads in smaller “caps”, or in initial caps and “lower case” letters. Statements and other text should use caps and lower case. Do not use all caps for a paragraph of descriptive material—a mass of capitals is harder to read.
Before completing the lettering, you should try out your layout and text on classmates, family, and perhaps your English teacher. Science fair exhibits should be understandable to intelligent laymen as well as to trained specialists. Technical jargon, pompous adjectives, and stilted sentence structure are not scientific. In scientific writing, as in any good writing, the simple, direct approach is usually best. Try to use short sentences, familiar words, and a minimum of technical terms and formulae.
Are your present photographs too small? You can experiment with desirable sizes of photos by clipping from old magazines any illustrations that appear about the right size, and trying them on your layout. You can then have your photos enlarged to the ideal sizes that you find most pleasing. Matte-finish photo prints are preferable since glossy prints produce “glare”. Before mounting photographs, trim off the white border, which detracts from the impact of your pictures and the simple unity of your exhibit.
When fully satisfied with your layout, begin the final lettering of your text. For hand-lettering, sketch with a soft pencil first, using a ruler and eraser freely. A lettering guide, borrowed from your school’s graphic arts department, will prove very helpful. Unless you are experienced you can save yourself trouble by not lettering directly upon the background. Instead, letter each copy block on a separate piece of art paper which can be glued into position later. Have a friend or teacher double-check your lettering for typographical errors.