Students

Engineering Projects

Students should keep it in mind as they document key steps along the way—with photographs, sketches and handwritten notes. That way, when it comes time to post things on their display board, they’ll have more than enough to choose from. The value of the presentation should not be underestimated. After weeks of hard work, it all comes down to a few minutes—that’s how long a student has to captivate each group of visitors at their booth.

Your chosen project:

Design Question
My younger brother and sister are too small to reach the light switches. I always have to go turn on the light for them. How can I make it so they can turn their bedroom room lights on or off?

Science Topic
Human accessibility

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  1. 1

    Left Panel

    List the materials used during the engineering design process. Display the data collected using images, charts, tables, graphs, and notes.

    Expert tip! Label all graphs, charts, and tables. On graphs, make sure you label the x and y axes. Space elements evenly across your layout, to achieve a balanced, consistent look.

  2. 2

    Main Panel

    Treat the center panel of the tri-fold board as center stage. Come up with a catchy title and display it prominently. This is where the story of the experiment or investigation should be chronicled in precise steps. Typically, this panel includes the problem, your proposed solution, pictures, background research, and your design or model.

    Expert tip! Learn how to edit your text down to the essentials. Through creative use of color, type, and graphic elements, you can make your ideas pop and bring your project to life. Be sure every photo has a caption beneath it. Write descriptive captions for photos.

  3. 3

    Right Panel

    This is typically where your results and conclusion are displayed. You may display your results using tables, charts, graphs, and pictures. Use a ruler, yardstick or T-square to measure and cut evenly.

    Expert tip! Proofread and spellcheck all text before sticking it on your display board. Use black or dark colors for type and make the type large enough to read from four feet away. As a general rule, use 24 pt. type for headings, 16 pt. type for text blocks. Use subheads and bullet points rather than long paragraphs of dense text.

  4. 4

    Artifacts

    May include models, working models, prototypes, an invention, or materials used.

Helpful Hints

Shopping List Checklist

Students should start a shopping list as soon as they have chosen a topic.

Display boards should be purchased early. That way, students will be able to easily visualize the amount of room they'll have for text, photos, charts, graphs, etc. While they're at it, they should shop for other items they'll need come production time: various tape, glue stick, and mounting products for various stages of layout and model building and all the tools they'll need to measure, cut, paste, and create a professional-looking display.

Board:
  • 40 in. x 30 in. x 3/16 in. White Tri-Fold
  • Project Board
Accessories:
  • Self-Adhesive Vinyl Letter Set
  • Vinyl Letters and Numbers
  • Permanent Markers
  • Ruler or Meter Stick
  • Decorative Borders
Adhesives
  • Rubber Cement
  • Extra Strength Glue Stick
  • Foam Mounting Tape
  • Extra Strength Spray Adhesive
Cutting Tools:
  • Hobby Knife
  • Scissors
Safety Supplies:
  • Safety goggles or glasses
  • Disposable gloves
  • Apron
  • First-aid kit
For Making Models:
  • Modeling Clay
  • Foam board
  • Packaging materials
Science Experiment Supplies:
  • Funnel
  • Balances and scales
  • Thermometers
  • Water and soil test kits
  • Lighting
  • Plants
  • Seeds
  • Sand, soil, clay

Many of these items can be found at your local Home Depot.

Shopping Checklist
Our shopping list provides the essentials to conduct your science experiment, make an invention, or create a display board.

Kids Workshops

To learn more visit, homedepot.com/kids

Kids Workshops provide a mix of skill-building, creativity, and safety for future DIYers every month in Home Depot stores across the country. After registering for the next Workshop, download these exclusive extension activities from Discovery Education. Each extension provides opportunities to reimagine or use their Workshop creation in an unexpected new way.

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