How to Display Data & Graphs on a Science Board (So Judges Get It)

Your data and graphs are the proof of your project and one of the first thing judges look for. They must be placed in the center panel, be large enough to read from 3 feet away, and always include titles, labels, and units of measure.

See this post, "Saving a graph, chart or other date from Excel and Sheets" for help exporting graphics to use in your template.

"Bad" vs. "Good" Graph Examples

  • Use clear, skimmable bullet points. Lists are easy to read.
  • Bad (A Messy Table): "A single, huge spreadsheet table with 100 tiny numbers."
  • Good (A Clear Graph): "A colorful bar graph (for comparisons) or a line graph (for changes over time) that shows the one key finding."

The "Right Graph for the Job" Formula

  • Use a Bar Graph
    •  If you are comparing different groups (e.g., Brand A vs. Brand B).
  • Use a Line Graph
    • If you are measuring something over time (e.g., plant growth per day).
  • Use a Pie Chart
    • If you are showing percentages of a whole (e.g., "50% of kids preferred...").

Data Display Checklist

  • Is it in the center?
  • Is the font big enough?
  • Does every graph have a title?
  • Are the X and Y axes clearly labeled (e.g., "Amount of Water (mL)")?
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