What to expect at the College of Engineering Research Open House: 

POSTER JUDGING
Poster submissions may be reviewed by corporate partners, alumni, faculty, staff or fellow students. Awards will be given an undergraduate and graduate poster from each of the departments and centers. In addition, authors contributing a poster will be eligible for a random drawing of prizes at the Student Luncheon. Judging results will be awarded at the Student Luncheon, Friday, April 3, 2020.  Posters will be ranked based on 4 major criteria, you may view the Judging forms for specifics.

 

GUIDELINES AND POSTER REQUIREMENTS
Each poster should include an introduction to the topic, its key points, and a summary of the results. Your poster should be self-explanatory. This will help people who might come to view it while you are discussing your project with someone else. Consider bringing reprints of your research to accommodate requests for a more detailed overview of your project. Please check out the following site for information on how to make a successful research poster http://writing.engr.psu.edu/posters.html.

  • Materials: The size of the poster must not exceed 42″ wide (including margins) x 60″ long. The 42” dimension is based on the fact that the printer is set to print at 42” wide. If less than that, it leaves a white blank strip that is not very attractive. You can choose the dimensions of your poster, but if it prints at less than 42” wide, you will need to cut off the blank excess area.  Please bring it already trimmed and ready for hanging.  We expect posters that are 42” or less when we plan out the space needed for hanging all the posters. If you have a poster that is already printed because you produced it for a different event, you can use that (no need to redesign/reprint).  (42” = 42 inches).
    • Poster text may be printed directly on white paper or on thin, lightweight colored poster paper, cardboard, or fabric. Do not use heavy board or foam core, as these materials may be difficult to display.
  • Type Size: Your poster will be viewed from a distance of a meter or more. To aid public viewing, please make the type in your “Title and Author” section readable from a distance. All other text should be approximately 20 pt. Use a heavy, legible font that is free from unnecessary ornamentation (such as Helvetica or Helvetica Bold).
  • Graphics, Photographs and Drawings: Presenting data in graphic form may be clearer and more memorable than including it in tables. Provide each figure with a legend stating a clear, concise message in large type. The legend can contain commentary that would normally appear in the body of a manuscript. It should describe the content of the figure and the conclusions derived. Details of the methodology should be brief and placed at the end of the legend. The background color should be white, for easier viewing and reduced printing costs.
  • Arrangement and Content: The title, author(s) names, and departmental affiliation should be centered at the top. Consistency in this will make it easier for viewers to scan and browse. In addition, you should include the authors’ affiliation(s) and an address to which people can write for further information. In general, lay out your poster so that the information flows down in columns, rather than across in rows. Your introduction should be placed at the upper left and your conclusion at the lower right. Number each part of the poster (the poster tiles) so that the flow of information is clear.

 

WHERE TO GET THE POSTER PRINTED: 

  • Engineering Technology Centers
    • Print Submission Form
    • Please put in Additional Notes that this is for Creative Kick-Start and your fund number.

TIPS & TRICKS FOR POSTER CREATION: 

  •  Poster Presentation 2018  by Sarah Livesay, Associate Director of the Hanson Center for Technical Communication
  • Recommendations of what to put in your project poster session:
    • Title
    • Team Members Names/Affliations
    • Listing as a Creative Kick-Start Project
    • Sponsors Name
    • Abstract:  What did you hope to build/accomplish?
    • Introduction
    • Materials/Process
    • Results
    • Conclusion/Discussion/Further Work
  • Optional: Schedule an appointment in the Hanson Center to review your poster
  • Examples from Past Poster Sessions (Some Good & Some Bad)