# Lesson 157: Science fair mini-poster

🔬 SCIENCE (40 Lessons) • 🟠 E. Science Projects

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## Objective

I can plan and make a simple science fair mini-poster that shows my question, what I did, what I observed, and one thing I learned.

## Materials

- A4 or larger sheet of paper or card for the mini-poster
- Pencil, crayons, markers, or coloured pencils
- Ruler (optional) to draw neat boxes
- Notebook or science journal for planning notes
- Any simple science project you have done, such as a plant, shadow, or materials investigation

## Mini-lesson — What is a science fair mini-poster?

A science fair is a time to share your science ideas. A mini-poster is a neat page that shows your project so others can understand it quickly.

What is on a good mini-poster?

- A big, clear title at the top.
- Your question in simple words.
- A short note or picture for What I did.
- A picture or words for What I observed (what you saw, felt, or measured).
- One sentence for What I learned.

Example question

- Title: "Which car rolls faster?"
- Question: "Which toy car is fastest?"
- What I did: "I rolled two toy cars down the same ramp."
- What I observed: "The blue car reached the bottom first."
- What I learned: "The small blue car rolled faster."

Why use boxes and labels?

- Boxes help you keep each part in its own space.
- Labels and arrows show what each picture means.
- Neat writing and short sentences make it easy to read.

A strong mini-poster is clear, colourful, and easy to follow so everyone can see your science story.

Picture strip: Mini-poster layout and sharing

Mini-poster layout

Sharing at a science fair

## Guided Practice — Plan your science fair mini-poster

You will plan the parts of your mini-poster before you draw it neatly.

1. Choose a project: Pick a science project you have already done, such as a weather chart, materials sorting, or simple ramp test.
2. Write the title: In your notebook, write a short, clear title, such as "Rolling toy cars" or "Sunny and cloudy days".
3. Write your question: On the next line, write your science question in simple words, starting with "Which" or "What happens if".
4. Plan "What I did": Write one or two short sentences, or draw a quick sketch, to show what you did in your project.
5. Plan "What I observed": Note or draw what you noticed. For example, which toy was fastest, or which weather was most common.
6. Plan "What I learned": Write one sentence that begins with "I learned that…".
7. Use the tracing pad: Trace words like question, poster, observe, results, or learned to get used to the science words you will put on the mini-poster.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice 1 — Build the mini-poster sections

Turn your plan into a neat mini-poster with clear sections.

1. On your large paper, draw light pencil boxes for Title, Question, What I did, What I observed, and What I learned.
2. At the top, write your title in big letters and trace over it in colour.
3. In the "Question" box, write your science question in one clear sentence.
4. In the "What I did" box, draw a picture of your setup and add a short label, such as "I rolled two cars down a ramp."
5. In the "What I observed" box, draw what you saw and use labels or arrows to show important parts.
6. In the "What I learned" box, write one sentence that begins with "I learned that…".
7. Check that each box is neat, easy to read, and not too crowded.

## Practice 2 — Add labels, colour, and details

Make your mini-poster clear and attractive without making it messy.

1. Go back to each drawing and add labels with arrows, such as "car A", "car B" or "rainy days".
2. Use colour to help people see the most important parts, but keep white space so it is not too busy.
3. Around the edge, you may add small pictures that match your topic, such as clouds, plants, or cars.
4. Check spelling of key science words with an adult: question, observe, results, learned.
5. At the bottom corner, write your name and the date to show when you made the mini-poster.

## Practice 3 — Practise presenting your mini-poster

Get ready to talk about your mini-poster like a young scientist.

1. Stand next to your mini-poster and practise pointing to each section in order: title, question, what I did, what I observed, what I learned.
2. For each section, say one short sentence, such as "My question was…" or "I observed that…".
3. Practise with an adult or a friend. Ask them if your voice is clear and if they can follow your ideas.
4. Ask them one friendly question back, such as "What do you think about my results?".
5. Take a picture of your mini-poster for your science journal, if possible, and write one sentence about how you felt sharing it.

## Quick Check — Science fair mini-poster

Answer each question about science fair posters, questions, and observations.

1) What is a science fair mini-poster?

A secret note that nobody can read. A neat page that shows your science question, what you did, and what you learned. A list of your favourite games.
A mini-poster clearly shows your science project and ideas.

2) Which of these is a good science question?

"Why is school boring?" "Who is the funniest person?" "Which ball bounces higher?"
"Which ball bounces higher?" is a testable science question.

3) Where should the title go on your mini-poster?

At the top, in big neat letters. Hidden in the corner in tiny writing. On the back, where nobody can see it.
A clear title belongs at the top where everyone can see it.

4) "What I did" should show…

Your favourite TV show. The steps you took in your science project. A list of all your friends.
"What I did" explains the steps in your project.

5) What are observations?

Wishes that you make. Rules that you invent. Things you notice with your senses, like seeing or feeling.
Observations are what you notice using your senses.

6) Which sentence could be in "What I learned"?

"I learned that the small ball bounces higher." "I want to go home now." "I forgot everything."
"I learned that…" tells the main result of your project.

7) Why is it helpful to use labels and arrows on your mini-poster?

To cover up your drawings. To show clearly what each part of the picture means. To make it confusing.
Labels and arrows help other people understand your pictures.

8) Which set of sections belongs on a science mini-poster?

Name, favourite colour, favourite toy. Weather, lunch, bedtime. Title, question, what I did, what I observed, what I learned.
These sections match the parts of a simple science project.

9) A child's question is "Which toy car rolls farther?". Which is a matching observation?

"The blue car rolled farther than the red car." "I like my blue shoes." "My friend was not here today."
This sentence describes what happened in the toy car test.

10) How can you make sure your mini-poster is easy to read?

Write very fast and tiny so nobody can see it. Use neat writing, short sentences, and space between sections. Colour over all your words.
Neat writing and clear sections help people read your poster.

11) When you present your mini-poster, you should…

Turn your back and whisper. Say nothing and walk away. Point to each part and speak in a clear, kind voice.
Presenting means showing and explaining your work clearly.

12) Why is it good to choose a simple question for a mini-poster?

It is easier to test and explain your ideas. So nobody understands what you did. So you do not have to think at all.
Simple questions are easier for young scientists to test and share.

13) Which part of the mini-poster tells your main result?

The title. "What I learned". Your name and date.
"What I learned" shares the main finding from your project.

14) Which set of words all match this lesson?

Calendar, month, date, year. Cloudy, rainy, sunny, stormy. Title, question, observe, results.
Title, question, observe, and results are all parts of a science poster.

15) Why is it important for children to learn to make science posters?

It helps them share their ideas, practise science words, and explain what they learned. So they never talk about science again. So they can hide their work from everyone.
Science posters help children communicate their science thinking.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can choose or repeat a simple, testable science question. Student can explain in simple words what they did in their science project. Student can describe at least one observation and one thing they learned. Student's mini-poster has a clear title and labelled sections. Student can briefly present their mini-poster, pointing to sections in order.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can make and share a science fair mini-poster about my project. 🙂 I know some parts of a mini-poster but I still need more practice. 😅 Making a science mini-poster still feels a bit tricky.

#### Next time I will practise…

Writing a clear science question Adding neat labels and arrows Presenting my mini-poster in a clear voice
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