How to create a Scientific poster for the Group 4 presentation

1. How to create a Scientific poster for the Group 4 presentation

2. Before you begin

3. 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

4. Common problems • The text is too small • Poor quality graphics, tables and graphs • Poor organisation • Main points too difficult to find

5. 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

6. The Design

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

13. 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

14. How to present your poster

15. 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

16. 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

17. Examples of Scientific Posters