The Display

The last step in the science project is creating the display for the fair. So why am I addressing it so early? Well, because if you are like me, this pulling-it-all-together step is the most daunting.

After all, we do science projects with our kids all the time. Whether it is out back in the yard looking at funny bugs or visiting a museum on Saturday, we are two steps away from a collection or an experiment or a display-type project. Those steps are documentation and layout, and those can be a big hurdle if you, like me, have difficulty with closure.

So lets make it easy:

1. Get some custom made tri-fold displays from a hobby store or an office supplies store. Get a few, because they come in handy. Get them early because they run out.
   
2. Review the rules for the type of project you are making.
3. Ensure you have documented all the elements for the type of science fair project your child is doing.
   
4. Glue the documentation to the tri-fold.
5. Submit!

Now a special note to all you scrapbookers out there: I know you have all sorts of color-coordinated papers and stickers and cut-outs and stamps and fancy little scissors just dying to jump out of your scrapbooking boxes and get to work. My advice: Restraint.

Let your kids do this part. Help and advice? Sure. A tasteful background for the photos? Certainly. Some of those adorable little punch-out letters? Of course. I'm not trying to be a monster here. But when you start to send little Timmy and Suzy off to play while you give those displays the treatment they really deserve, stop, take a deep breath and back off. Lay down with a wet washcloth over your eyes until the urge passes.

Even in kindergarten, it is amazing how much the child can do on his own. Let them.