For the 2023 Student Symposium students will be permitted to present their projects in ANY form they want! You can still choose a traditional poster board-style presentation for your project, but if you believe your project would be better represented in another medium, we encourage you to do so - poster boards, slideshows, 3-D models, or any other form of presentation style. Be creative!

Rules for Exhibits:
  1. Must fit on the provided 8’ x 2 ½’ table.
  2. Any exhibit that involves electronics must provide its own power source (e.g., battery, power bank) and not use extension cords
  3. Tri-fold foam core poster boards, 48” x 36”, are available from Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) at no cost. The registration form will ask you if you need one. These boards will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  4. The following items are RESTRICTED:
  • No glitter
  • No smoke machines
  • No tacky adhesives
  • No banners
  • No balloons
  • No light displays or sirens
Tips for Poster Design  

  • Do not be afraid to be creative!  

  • Use an appropriate font size and type face. We recommend Arial, 20-25pt.  

  • Choose colors and fonts that are easy on the eyes (i.e., avoid neon green or scripty fonts).  

  • Do not use too many colors, font sizes, or styles; the poster will be difficult to read. 

  • Short, snappy titles are best.  

  • Include your name(s) on the poster.  

  • Cite your work (even images).  

  • Remember to thank your sponsors and mentors.  

  • Use bullets and lists to break down key points.  

  • Do not crowd the poster with too much content; keep it simple for a general audience. You will have time to talk with attendees to explain your work. 

  • Give your text boxes subheadings to help guide the audience through your poster.  

  • KEEP IT SIMPLE! Your audience should be able to get a general understanding of your research via your poster.  

  • Avoid crowding your poster with too much content.  

  • Use graphs, diagrams, and pictures whenever possible -use your own images! 

Resources for Poster Creation