Display and Safety Regulations
Maximum Size of Project Display
Depth (front to back): 30 inches (76 centimeters)
Width (side to side): 48 inches (122 centimeters)
Height (floor to top): 108 inches (274 centimeters)
– All projects materials and support mechanisms must fit within the project dimensions.
– Fair provided tables will not exceed a height of 36 inches (91 centimeters).
– If a table is used it becomes part of the project and must not exceed the allowed dimensions.
– All demonstrations must be done within the confines of the finalists display area.
Displayed Items
Your abstract and notebook should be displayed with your project.
If needed, Forms 1C and 7 must be displayed.
Signed copies of Form 4 should be present but not displayed.
Project Display Helpful Hints
- Inexpensive display boards and other display aids are available at most office and art supply stores.
- Use type families and colored backgrounds to associate groups of information throughout your display. Remember that black or dark type is easiest to read and that judges do notice spelling and grammar.
- Your title should be big, easy to read, and capture the spirit of your research. You can use two titles if you wish, a scientific one on top and one for the lay audience below it.
- Possible sections for your board might include: Introduction, Background/Research, Hypothesis, Experimental Design, Data, Data Interpretation, Conclusion/Discussion, Further Research.
- “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Photographs and drawings are good display tools: they help your audience understand your research and are eye-catching aids for your display. Remember you need written consent (Form 4) if you use a photograph of anyone other than yourself.
- Use the largest possible visuals and type. Important text should be legible from at least three feet away. Use font sizes of at least 24 points on your display board.
- Use brief statements. Aim to have three to five bulleted statements, each 10 to 20 words per section.
- Tables of numerical data have a place—but maybe it’s in the notebook rather than on the display board. Use graphs or charts instead of tables wherever possible.
- Label the units of measurement used on each chart axis (e.g., “Centimeters of Rain,” “Years,” “Number of Ladybugs”). Use metric (SI) measurements and scientific names if possible.
- Caption your graphs and charts and indicate trends, conclusions drawn, etc.
Unacceptable for Display
– Brand names, logos (including school logos), or acknowledgements
– Formal Project Summaries are NOT allowed for distribution (only the Abstract may be distributed)
– All liquids, including water
– Human or animal food (eg., popcorn, M&Ms, etc.)
– Living organisms (including plants, fungi, and bacteria)
– Soil or waste samples, toxic waste samples
– Dried plant materials
– Taxidermy specimens or parts
– Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals or their parts
– Human/animal parts or body fluids (blood, urine)
– Laboratory/household chemicals
– Batteries with open-top cells
– Poisons, drugs, controlled substances, hazardous substances or devices (for example: firearms, weapons,
ammunition, reloading devices, model rockets)
– Dry ice or other sublimating solids (solids which vaporize to a gas without passing through a liquid phase)
– Sharp items (for example: syringes, needles, pipettes, knives)
– Any flames, open or concealed, or highly flammable materials
– Gases or empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids or gases, including butane and
propane
– Awards, medals, business cards, flags, endorsements or acknowledgements from previous fairs.
– Photographs or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections,
necropsies, other lab techniques, improper handling methods, improper housing conditions, procedures,
etc.
– Photographs of people other than student presenter(s) unless signed Form 4 is available.
Display Safety Requirements
♦ Proper attention to safety is expected of all participants, including compliance with the following
requirements:
♦ No hand-held laser pointers of any power. No operation of Class III or Class IV lasers.
♦ No operation of unshielded belts, pulleys, chains, or moving parts with tension or pinch points.
♦ Any exhibit producing temperatures that could cause physical burns must be adequately insulated.
♦ Properly fasten all wiring. Nails, tacks, or unshielded staples are not acceptable.
♦ Electrical power: Only supplied to projects which cannot be displayed any other way. NOT FOR LAPTOPS
alone.
♦ Electrical power supplied to approved projects and, therefore, the maximums allowed for projects is 120 or
220 Volt, A.C., single phase, 60 cycles. Maximum circuit amperage/wattage available is determined by the
electrical circuit capacities of the exhibit hall and may be adjusted on-site by the Display and Safety
Committee. For all electrical regulations “120 Volt A.C.” or “220 Volt A.C.” is intended to encompass the
corresponding range of voltage as supplied by the San Jose Convention Center.
♦ All electrical connectors, wiring, switches, extension cords, fuses, etc. must be UL-listed and must be
appropriate for the load and equipment. Connections must be soldered or made with UL-listed connectors.
Wiring, switches, and metal parts must have adequate insulation and over-current safety devices (such as
fuses) and must be inaccessible to anyone other than the Championship participant. Exposed electrical
equipment or metal that may possibly be energized must be shielded with a non-conducting material or
with a grounded metal box to prevent accidental contact.
♦ Wiring that is not a part of a commercially available UL-listed appliance or piece of equipment must have a
clearly visible fuse or circuit breaker on the supply side of the power source and prior to any project
equipment.
♦ There must be an accessible, clearly visible on/off switch or other means of disconnect from the 120 or 220
Volt power source.
♦ Computerized PowerPoint® presentations or equivalents can be made from battery powered laptops only,
and are allowed only to provide data unavailable in any other format.
♦ At its discretion, the compliance committee may restrict the operation of the project, or exhibition of
specified items, to the time of judging only. Failure to follow these restrictions can result in project
disqualification after judging is completed.
♦ If applicable, Forms 1C and/or Form 7 should be displayed on the project board. Each signed Form 4
should be available, but not displayed.
TAERSIF Display & Safety Inspectors will disqualify any exhibit which, in its opinion, does not comply with all preceding Project Display Rules.
Loss or Damage
TAERSIF and FGCU’s Alico Arena assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to any project or project part. Valuable items should be simulated or removed when the student is not present at his/her project.
Projects not removed by 5:30 PM Fair Day may be destroyed.