How to create a Scientific poster for the Group 4

presentation

Before you begin

Aims of a Scientific Poster

It delivers a clear message It is highly visual It can be easily read from 1 or 2

metres away

Common problems

The text is too small Poor quality graphics, tables and

graphs Poor organisation Main points too difficult to find

Things to consider before starting

What is the main message are you trying to get across?

What diagrams, tables and graphs will you need?

Who is your audience? Create a sketch of what you want

your final poster to look like

The Design

General Points

Measure your poster. How much room do you have for each section?

Divide the tasks Set up a timeline. When are you

going to meet up to edit your design?

Text

Your title should be at least font size 72 Your sub-titles should be at least font

size 36 and text should be at least font size 24

Do not over use text – use images or graphics instead

Use bullet points were appropriate Choose a font style which is easy to read

Colours

Stick to a theme of 2 or 3 colors, no more

Use a light colour background and dark letters for contrast

Very bright colours will attract attention, but are not easy to read

Consider people who are colour blind - avoid combinations such as green on red

Graphics

Diagrams, Tables and Graphs communicate information quickly and easily

Graphics should be kept simple Use simple 2-D line graphs and bar

charts Use photos and/or clipart but not

too many

Layout

The number of sections you have depends upon your investigation but should include Title, Abstract, Hypothesis, Method, Results, Conclusion and References

Use Headings to help the reader find each section

Consider numbering the sections Use colour and white space creatively to

aid the flow of reading See next slide for an example

Evaluate your poster

Get someone from another group to assess your poster before you stick anything down

Check whether it is easy to know which section follows which

Can you read your poster in 1 to 2 minutes Usually posters need the amount of text

reducing

How to present

your poster

Displaying your poster

Turn up to the room were you will be displaying your poster early

Practice putting up your poster Decide where each member of your

group is going to stand, so the audience can still see you and the poster

Presentation

Prepare a 5 to 10 minute presentation All members of your group should have

equal roles Do not read from the poster Practice your presentation and time it Perhaps prepare an A4 handout of your

poster and any additional information

Examples of Scientific Posters