Science Fair Project Shopping List

Before starting your science project it is wise to make sure you have gotten all the materials and equipment together. Each project from the Science Buddies Project Idea Library has a detailed Materials & Equipment section that lists what you will need for that project and where to buy it. You can also visit our Science Fair Approved Suppliers page for a list of retailers by area of science.

If you prefer one-stop shopping, try our Science Fair Projects with Kits.

During your shopping remember that you will also need supplies for making your Display Board if you plan on showing your project at a science fair.

To make a good science project display board you will need:

• A display board. Most science fairs use a 36" x 48" board like these:

  Elmer's Tri-Fold Display Boards are available in foam or corrugated cardboard and in a selection of colors.

  
  
• Paper for writing or printing. Matte finish cardstock paper is best.
• Adhesives for gluing the paper on to the display board. These work particularly well:

  Elmer's School Glue Sticks or No-wrinkle Rubber Cement

  
  

To make your science project display board really stand out consider one or more of these items:

• Highly visible lettering for the other sections of your science project. For example stencils and markers or stick on letters like these:

  Combine Elmer's Project Poppers reusable stencils and markers or try repositionable Project Poppers Letters & Numbers

  
  
• A colorful border and/or construction paper to add visual accents to your display board. Be careful not to make the board so busy that it is difficult to read the text. Borders like these add color without distracting:

  Elmer's Project Popperz Borders

  
  
• Jumbo lettering for the project title. For example:

  Elmer's Jumbo Size (4 inch) Project Popperz Letters & Numbers

  
  
• You may even want to put the title on a separate add-on title board at the top of your display board. If so, consider one that is designed to attach directly to a tri-fold display board:

  Elmer's Tri-Fold Display Header Card

  
  
• Consider using a buddy board, as discussed in the Advanced Display Board Design and Tips page, for summarizing key points or making a layman's overview if you have a complex project.

  Elmer's Project Stands are great for propping up buddy boards.

  
  

Additional Supplies

If you are constructing a big display board for a top-level science competition you'll need additional supplies. First, look at the Big Display Boards for Top Fairs page to decide what type of board you want to make. Once you've decided, you will need many of the items above along with:

• Additional foam boards and an X-ACTO knife for trimming the boards:

  Elmer's Foam Board Sheets can be easily cut with an X-ACTO knife to add sections on to a traditional Tri-Fold Display Board.

  
  

Resources

Elmer's ® Project Solution supplies are available at:
                 

Product selection may vary by retailer.

Download an Elmer's Rebate to save money on project display board supplies!

For more information on how to make good science fair project display boards consult these resources: