Resources for Poster Finalists:
Constructing Your Poster:
- Posters should be 36” by 48” in size. You will only need to bring a printed version of the poster. If your school cannot help with this then a printer (FedEx Kinkos, Staples, Office Max) should be able to print your poster for a modest fee.
- You do not need to purchase a cardboard or foam mount. Tri-fold poster mounts and mounting supplies will be available at no expense for your use at the conference. Keep in mind that these poster mounts fold 12” from the left and right edges. So your poster should have three panels – two side panels that are 12” wide by 36” tall; and one central panel that is 24” wide by 36” tall.
- Click here for a PowerPoint poster template, which you are free - but not required - to use.
- You will also need to prepare a short, 5 minute oral presentation on your poster. (Reading from a script you write is just fine!) During the poster session, judges will stop at your poster to hear your presentation. Scoring will be based on the following criteria: depth of content, content organization, verbal interaction, as well as overall design.
- Click here for a draft of the program. Please confirm the spelling of your name.
- Recall that your poster should be a response to one of the following prompts:
- For High School Contestants: “What is the most scientifically and/or socially important NASA mission? Describe the mission, its goals and major findings, and address the scientific and/or social significance of these findings.”
- For Middle School Contestants: “What is the most important NASA spinoff?” It should describe the spinoff itself, how it was developed and/or used by NASA, and how it has benefited society.”
Attending the Conference:
- The poster session begins at 1:10 pm on the day of the event, just after the lunch break. You will need to arrive to WSU early enough to mount your poster before the start of this session. Registration begins at 9:00 am, and the Symposium talks start at 9:15am. You are welcome to attend any or all of the talks, including the keynote lecture. Light refreshments will be available throughout the day.
- Wichita State is located close to I-135 in Wichita, KS. It is bordered by 21st St on the north, 17th St on the south, Hillside St on the west, and Oliver St on the east.
- The conference will take place in the Rhatigan Student Center. The main conference room is the Santa Fe Room. The poster competitions will be held in the Lucas Room. Both are in the northern half of the second floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.
- Volunteers will be on hand throughout the morning to help you set up your poster.
- Click here for a campus map showing the location of the Rhatigan Student Center (in the purple box) as well as suggested parking lots (in the blue boxes). Parking in these lots is free on Saturdays.
Additional Information:
- The three prize winners will be announced at the conclusion of the afternoon session (at 5pm) just before the keynote lecture. Each winner will have to complete some paperwork, including a W9 form and a short payment authorization form (without these WSU cannot send you your prize money). These forms will be available for you to fill out at the event after the winners are announced. If you finish in the top three, but you must leave before we announce the prize winners, you will have to complete this paperwork via mail or fax – which will delay the receipt of your prize money.
Good luck! We look forward to seeing your poster! Have a safe trip to Wichita!
Please email Dr. James Schwartz at james.schwartz@wichita.edu if you have an questions.