WHAT DO YOU NEED TO INCLUDE ON YOUR DISPLAY BOARD?
There are NEW RULES for the display boards at the CANADA WIDE FAIR!! Check it out!
new ysc display boards
Once your Regional Science Fair has selected its projects for the Canada-Wide Science Fair, one of the most important tasks is to ensure that the displays comply with Youth Science Canada’s Project Displays policy. Before being approved for competition at the CWSF, each project must pass an inspection and safety check. Taking a little time at the regional level to ensure that the display is built correctly can save considerable time and grief at the CWSF, where projects must be modified (or in rare cases reconstructed) if they do not pass inspection.
In general, there are five aspects of the project display that must be checked:
Complete details are contained in Policy 3.1.2.5 CWSF Project Displays. The following information provides a summary of the display safety requirements. CWSF finalists and delegates are reminded that they should familiarize themselves with the CWSF Project Displays policy prior to preparing for the CWSF.
Display Dimensions
Your project display, including the backboard, title board, presentation and prop material, and all display equipment, must fit entirely within these dimensions: 1.2 m wide, 0.8 m deep and 2.5 m high from the floor. Exhibits exceeding these dimensions must be modified before they will receive safety approval. No portion of the display shall project into any aisle; however, a limited number of separate display spaces may be provided for oversized innovations. These must be requested by a Regional Coordinator in advance.
Backboard and Display Materials
The CWSF fire safety regulations for project backboards and displays are much tougher than at most Regional Science Fairs. Be sure to follow these rules carefully. Your display will be inspected as part of the safety check, and backboards/displays not meeting these standards will have to be reconstructed from approved materials. Rebuilding a display at the CWSF is stressful and upsetting, but completely avoidable. Build it right the first time!
Backboards and title boards must be constructed of the following materials:
wood products and dimensional lumber at least 6 mm (0.25 inch) thick, Sintra, InteFoam, Intecell, flame- rated corrugated products, metal, Plexiglas/acrylic or any other material that meets the UL-94 standard and bears a factory- attached UL-94 label.
Backboards and title boards constructed of the following materials are specifically prohibited: Coroplast, foam board (plastic foam sandwiched between sheets of paper product), paper products, plastic sheeting and foamed polystyrene (Styrofoam).
Backboard panels may be painted with any common paint. Other coating materials (e.g., fabric) must be UL-approved and proof of such approval is required.
CPVC pipe may be used in project displays as a backboard frame provided the pipe has the CSA code B137 on it or a UL- 94 equivalent rating. ABS pipe may be used in projects as a backboard frame provided the pipe has the CSA code B1811 on it or a UL-94 equivalent rating.
Presentation Information and Attachment
Presentation information, which includes text, graphics, photographs and other data on the backboard, must be printed on bond (laser, ink jet or standard copier) paper, photographic paper or laminated paper and must be attached so that all edges are securely fastened. Papers may not be layered on the backboard.
Construction paper, Bristol board and papers listed above may be used to outline or border presentation information or to add small decorative elements to the backboard.
Anything used to raise presentation information more than 2 mm above the surface of the backboard must be constructed of approved backboard material.
The use of lamination is discouraged for environmental reasons.
The use of toxic adhesives is prohibited inside any buildings at the CWSF, though their use is still permitted outdoors. This is particularly relevant for finalists who plan to assemble their display at the fair.
Adhesives and tools for assembly of project displays will be available at no charge from the tool crib located in the exhibit hall. Airlines prohibit the transportation of aerosol containers and flammable materials (including many adhesives) in baggage or hand luggage, plus most liquids, creams, gels and tools in hand luggage.
Papers presented on the exhibit table must be secured in a binder, Duo-tang, presentation folder, plastic sleeve or other appropriate enclosure.
Biohazards - The following materials shall not be displayed:
1. Biological toxins
2. Cell or tissue samples including blood and blood products, except on sealed microscope slides, which may be displayed
3. Plants or plant tissue
4. Soil containing organic material
5. Cultures – Photographs or simulated cultures may be used.
Images of Humans
The project display may include pictures of participants if prior permission has been obtained. Projects dealing with forensic science topics must preserve the anonymity of any human victims, and project displays must avoid sensational or gratuitously macabre images.
Animals and Animal Parts Live animals (whether microorganisms, non-vertebrate and vertebrate) shall not be displayed.
The only parts of vertebrate animals that may be displayed are those that are either naturally shed by an animal or parts properly prepared and preserved. For example, porcupine quills (safely contained), shed snake skin, feathers, tanned pelts and hides, antlers, hair samples, skeletons and skeletal parts are permissible, while cell and tissue samples are not, as indicated under Biohazards.
Photographs of animals, animal parts or organs may be used on the display and in the Project Report; however, finalists and Regional Science Fair committees must be aware that other exhibitors and members of the public might find such photographs offensive. Finalists are encouraged to choose their photographs in accordance with the accepted norms of the community.
Firearms, Hazardous Materials and Equipment Firearms (even if appropriately locked), ammunition, dangerous goods or explosives shall not be displayed. The manner in which such materials were used in a project may be conveyed through text, photos, video, computers or simulation.
Images of humans or animals that have been injured by the use of firearms or explosives shall not be displayed. Such images are deemed unsuitable for general public viewing and do not contribute to the scientific value of a project.
X-ray or hazardous radiation-producing equipment may be displayed but must not be operated at any time.
Radioisotopes or compounds containing radioisotopes at activities above normal background shall not be displayed.
Display Equipment and Damage
The finalist or his/her Regional Science Fair must supply all display equipment. Upon special request, at the finalist’s expense and if the Host Committee specifically offers such a service, display equipment may be supplied by or rented from the Host Committee.
Although every effort will be made to prevent damage to exhibits, Youth Science Canada, the Host Committee or other sponsoring organizations or cooperating groups will accept no responsibility for loss or damage to any exhibit or part thereof.
In general, there are five aspects of the project display that must be checked:
- Display dimensions
- Backboard and display materials
- Presentation information and attachment
- Safety of display items and student-constructed devices
- Absence of restricted materials and biohazards
Complete details are contained in Policy 3.1.2.5 CWSF Project Displays. The following information provides a summary of the display safety requirements. CWSF finalists and delegates are reminded that they should familiarize themselves with the CWSF Project Displays policy prior to preparing for the CWSF.
Display Dimensions
Your project display, including the backboard, title board, presentation and prop material, and all display equipment, must fit entirely within these dimensions: 1.2 m wide, 0.8 m deep and 2.5 m high from the floor. Exhibits exceeding these dimensions must be modified before they will receive safety approval. No portion of the display shall project into any aisle; however, a limited number of separate display spaces may be provided for oversized innovations. These must be requested by a Regional Coordinator in advance.
Backboard and Display Materials
The CWSF fire safety regulations for project backboards and displays are much tougher than at most Regional Science Fairs. Be sure to follow these rules carefully. Your display will be inspected as part of the safety check, and backboards/displays not meeting these standards will have to be reconstructed from approved materials. Rebuilding a display at the CWSF is stressful and upsetting, but completely avoidable. Build it right the first time!
Backboards and title boards must be constructed of the following materials:
wood products and dimensional lumber at least 6 mm (0.25 inch) thick, Sintra, InteFoam, Intecell, flame- rated corrugated products, metal, Plexiglas/acrylic or any other material that meets the UL-94 standard and bears a factory- attached UL-94 label.
Backboards and title boards constructed of the following materials are specifically prohibited: Coroplast, foam board (plastic foam sandwiched between sheets of paper product), paper products, plastic sheeting and foamed polystyrene (Styrofoam).
Backboard panels may be painted with any common paint. Other coating materials (e.g., fabric) must be UL-approved and proof of such approval is required.
CPVC pipe may be used in project displays as a backboard frame provided the pipe has the CSA code B137 on it or a UL- 94 equivalent rating. ABS pipe may be used in projects as a backboard frame provided the pipe has the CSA code B1811 on it or a UL-94 equivalent rating.
Presentation Information and Attachment
Presentation information, which includes text, graphics, photographs and other data on the backboard, must be printed on bond (laser, ink jet or standard copier) paper, photographic paper or laminated paper and must be attached so that all edges are securely fastened. Papers may not be layered on the backboard.
Construction paper, Bristol board and papers listed above may be used to outline or border presentation information or to add small decorative elements to the backboard.
Anything used to raise presentation information more than 2 mm above the surface of the backboard must be constructed of approved backboard material.
The use of lamination is discouraged for environmental reasons.
The use of toxic adhesives is prohibited inside any buildings at the CWSF, though their use is still permitted outdoors. This is particularly relevant for finalists who plan to assemble their display at the fair.
Adhesives and tools for assembly of project displays will be available at no charge from the tool crib located in the exhibit hall. Airlines prohibit the transportation of aerosol containers and flammable materials (including many adhesives) in baggage or hand luggage, plus most liquids, creams, gels and tools in hand luggage.
Papers presented on the exhibit table must be secured in a binder, Duo-tang, presentation folder, plastic sleeve or other appropriate enclosure.
Biohazards - The following materials shall not be displayed:
1. Biological toxins
2. Cell or tissue samples including blood and blood products, except on sealed microscope slides, which may be displayed
3. Plants or plant tissue
4. Soil containing organic material
5. Cultures – Photographs or simulated cultures may be used.
Images of Humans
The project display may include pictures of participants if prior permission has been obtained. Projects dealing with forensic science topics must preserve the anonymity of any human victims, and project displays must avoid sensational or gratuitously macabre images.
Animals and Animal Parts Live animals (whether microorganisms, non-vertebrate and vertebrate) shall not be displayed.
The only parts of vertebrate animals that may be displayed are those that are either naturally shed by an animal or parts properly prepared and preserved. For example, porcupine quills (safely contained), shed snake skin, feathers, tanned pelts and hides, antlers, hair samples, skeletons and skeletal parts are permissible, while cell and tissue samples are not, as indicated under Biohazards.
Photographs of animals, animal parts or organs may be used on the display and in the Project Report; however, finalists and Regional Science Fair committees must be aware that other exhibitors and members of the public might find such photographs offensive. Finalists are encouraged to choose their photographs in accordance with the accepted norms of the community.
Firearms, Hazardous Materials and Equipment Firearms (even if appropriately locked), ammunition, dangerous goods or explosives shall not be displayed. The manner in which such materials were used in a project may be conveyed through text, photos, video, computers or simulation.
Images of humans or animals that have been injured by the use of firearms or explosives shall not be displayed. Such images are deemed unsuitable for general public viewing and do not contribute to the scientific value of a project.
X-ray or hazardous radiation-producing equipment may be displayed but must not be operated at any time.
Radioisotopes or compounds containing radioisotopes at activities above normal background shall not be displayed.
Display Equipment and Damage
The finalist or his/her Regional Science Fair must supply all display equipment. Upon special request, at the finalist’s expense and if the Host Committee specifically offers such a service, display equipment may be supplied by or rented from the Host Committee.
Although every effort will be made to prevent damage to exhibits, Youth Science Canada, the Host Committee or other sponsoring organizations or cooperating groups will accept no responsibility for loss or damage to any exhibit or part thereof.