Ideally your project should have the following elements:

Project data book
The project data book should have accurate and detailed notes of your research.

Synopsis
This is a summary of your idea and should include the purpose of the experiment, procedure used, data and conclusion.

Research paper
A research paper should be prepared and must be available along with the project data book with relevant written material.  A research paper helps organize data as well as thoughts.  A good paper includes the following sections:

1. Title page:  Center the project title, and put your name, address, school, and grade at the bottom right
2. Table of Contents: Include a page number for the beginning of each section
3. Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your report.  The introduction includes your hypothesis, an explanation of what prompted your research and what you hoped to achieve
4. Method:  This section describes how you did the study.  Describe in detail the methodology used to collect your data or make your observations.  Your report should be detailed enough for someone to be able to repeat the experiment from the information in your paper.  Include photographs or drawings of self-designed equipment.  Also specify the material used in the study.  The research work conducted by you may have taken more than a year.  In such case, include this year’s work only. 
5. Discussion:  This is the essence of your paper.  The results and conclusions should flow smoothly and logically from your data.  Be thorough.  Allow your readers to see your train of thought, letting them know exactly what you did.  Compare your results with theoretical values, published data and expected results.  Include a discussion of possible errors.  How did the data vary between repeated observations of a similar event?  How were your results affected by uncontrolled events?  What would you do differently if you were to repeat this project?  What other experiments should be conducted?
6. Conclusion:  This section describes what the projects means.  Briefly summarize your results.  Be specific, do not generalize.  Never introduce anything in the conclusion that has not been discussed.
7. Acknowledgements:  You should always credit those who assisted you, including individuals, business and educational or research institutions.  Identify any financial support or material donations received, but do not put it on the display board.
8. Reference list:  Your reference list should include any documentation that is not your own (i.e. books, journal articles).

Project set up & display

Since you want to attract and inform interested spectators and judges, make it easy for them to access your project and the results you have obtained.

1. Display – Make the most of your space using clear and concise displays.  The maximum size and shape of the display backboard is 30 inches (76 cm) deep, 48 inches (122 cm) wide, and 108 inches (274 cm) high (including the tables they stand on).  These are maximum measurements, so your display may be smaller than the above sizes.  Make sure the display reflects the current year’s work only.
2. A good title – Your title is an extremely important attention-grabber.  It should be simple and must accurately represent your research.  It is recommended that you use an attention grabbing title and a scientific, detailed subtitle.
3. Take photographs – Many projects involve elements that may not be safely exhibited at the fair, but are an important part of the project.  You might want to take photographs of important parts/phases of your experiment to use in your display.
4. Models – Prepare a miniature of your project in case your prototype is too large to be transported or carried along.
5. Be organized – Make sure your display is logically presented and easy to read.  A glance should enable anyone (particularly the judges) to locate the title, experiments, results, and conclusions quickly.  When you arrange your display, imagine that you are seeing it for the first time.
6. Eye-catching display – Make sure your display stands out.  Use neat, colorful headings, charts and graphs to present your project.  Home-built equipment, construction paper, and coloured markers are excellent for project displays.  Pay special attention to the labeling of charts, diagrams, graphs, and tables.  Each item must have a descriptive title.
7. Correctly presented and well constructed – Be sure to adhere to the size limitations and safely rules when preparing your display.  All forms required for the project should be displayed.  Make sure your display is sturdy, as it will need to remain intact for quire a while.  Do not hesitate to ask for advice from adults if you need it.

Display Guidelines
What are the display rules?

1. Allowed for display
   1. Dried   plant   materials   if   permanently sealed in acrylic or other similar material
   2. Soil or waste samples if permanently sealed in acrylic or other similar material
   3. Empty tanks that previously contained combustible liquids or gases
   4. Personal photographs, accomplishments, acknowledgement, addresses other than the finalist’s address, telephone, fax numbers, e-mail and web addresses are allowed only on the inside of research papers or data books
   5. Any apparatus with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains or moving parts with tension or pinch points may not be operated
   6. Class II lasers:
      1. May be operated only by the finalist
      2. Posted sign must read “Laser Radiation: do not stare into beam”
      3. Must have protective housing that prevents access to beam
      4. Must be disconnected when not operating
   7. Class  III   and  IV  lasers   may  not  be operated
   8. Large vacuum tubes or dangerous ray-generating devices must be properly shielded
   9. Pressurized tanks that contain non-combustibles may be allowed if properly secured
   10. Any apparatus [producing temperatures that will cause physical burns must be adequately insulated
2. Prohibited for display
   1. Living organisms
   2. Taxidermy specimens or parts
   3. Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
   4. Human/animal parts or body fluids (e.g., blood, urine)
      (Exceptions: teeth, hair, nails, dried animal bones, histological dry mount sections and completely sealed wet mount tissue slides)
   5. Human/animal food
   6. Laboratory/household chemicals including water
      (Exceptions: water integral to an enclosed apparatus or water supplied by the Display and Safety Committee)
   7. Poisons, drugs, controlled substances, hazardous substances or devices (e.g. firearms, weapons, ammunition, reloading devices)
   8. Dry ice or other sublimating solids
   9. Sharp items (for example: syringes, needles, pipettes, knives)
   10. Flames or highly flammable display materials
   11. Batteries with open top cells
   12. Awards, medals, business cards, flags
   13. Photographs or other visual presentations depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissection, necropsies, other lab techniques, improper handling methods, improper housing conditions, etc.
3. Electrical power supply and usage specifications
   1. 220 Volt 50Hz single phase AC power will be available at the National Fair.  Maximum circuit amperage/wattage available is determined by the electrical circuit capacities of the exhibit hall and may be adjusted on site by the Display and safety Committee
   2. Heavy electrical machinery such as large compressors, electric hot plates etc. may not be used
       
4. Computer facilities for display    While access will be provided to a computer, if required for your project at the National Fair, you will need to bring your own laptop to the Intel ISEF, if selected.