Learn, Compete and Excel

1. Make it Fun and Colorful

• Show Personality: Highlight what makes your team unique and fun. Use vibrant colors and engaging visuals to capture attention.
• Incorporate Photos: Document your journey through photos and include them on the poster to make it more engaging.

2. Include Expert Insights

• Ask Experts: If you have interacted with STEM experts, include photos or quotes from them to add depth to your poster.

3. Focus on Team Story

• Highlight Teamwork: Emphasize how your team worked together and what you learned from each other.
• Share Discoveries: Outline your research findings and how they relate to the theme (e.g., SUBMERGED℠ for 2024-25).

4. Keep it Portable

• Size Flexibility: While there’s no strict size limit, ensure the poster is easy to carry and display at events.
• Material Choice: Choose materials that are lightweight and easy to transport.

5. Follow Guidelines

• Review Resources: Use resources like the Team Meeting Guide and top tips from the IET for specific guidance on what to include.

By incorporating these tips, you can create a compelling and informative poster that showcases your team’s creativity and understanding of the theme.

Here are tips to balance the different areas of your FLL Explore poster effectively:

1. Use Visual Hierarchy

• Prioritize Information: Place the most important elements (e.g., title, Core Values, project highlights) at the top or center to draw attention first.

• Font Sizes and Colors: Use larger fonts and contrasting colors for headings and key points to create emphasis.

2. Distribute Visual Weight

• Balance heavy visuals like large photos or bold graphics with lighter elements, such as text boxes or smaller icons, on the opposite side.

• Avoid clustering all visuals or text in one area to maintain equilibrium across the layout.

3. Incorporate White Space

• Leave sufficient white space between sections to prevent overcrowding and give the design room to breathe.

• Margins around the edges (about 1 inch) can help create a clean and organized look.

4. Align Sections

• Align headings, columns, and graphics consistently for a structured appearance. For example, align photos in one column with diagrams in another.

5. Apply Design Principles

• Rule of Thirds: Divide the poster into three horizontal and vertical sections, placing key features along these lines or intersections for visual appeal.

• Symmetry or Asymmetry: Choose symmetrical balance for evenly distributed content or asymmetrical balance to emphasize specific elements.

6. Use Consistent Colors and Fonts

• Stick to 2–3 colors and 1–2 font types throughout the poster for unity and cohesion.

• Use accent colors sparingly to highlight sections without overwhelming the design.

By combining these strategies, your poster will have a balanced composition that is visually appealing and easy to navigate.

To effectively showcase your team’s Core Values on an FLL Explore poster, consider the following strategies:

1. Visual Representation

• Use graphics or icons to represent each Core Value (e.g., teamwork, discovery, inclusion). This makes the values easy to identify and visually appealing.

• Incorporate photos of your team demonstrating these values during activities, such as collaborating on projects or helping each other.

2. Storytelling

• Share specific examples or anecdotes of how your team has embodied the Core Values. For instance, describe a moment where teamwork solved a challenge or inclusion helped a member feel valued.

• Use quotes from team members about their experiences with the Core Values to make it personal and relatable.

3. Interactive Elements

• Add an interactive section, such as flaps that reveal deeper explanations or fun facts about each Core Value.

• Include a QR code linking to a short video of your team demonstrating the values in action.

4. Design and Layout

• Dedicate a clear section of the poster to Core Values, ensuring they are prominently displayed.

• Use bold headings and contrasting colors to make the Core Values stand out visually.

5. Celebrate Achievements

• Highlight moments when your team was recognized for living out the Core Values, such as awards or positive feedback from mentors.

By combining visuals, stories, and interactive elements, you can effectively communicate your team’s commitment to FLL’s Core Values in an engaging and memorable way.

To create an effective “Discovery” area on your FLL Explore poster, include the following elements:

1. Team Research and Learning

• What You Learned: Highlight key discoveries your team made during research related to the season’s theme (e.g., SUBMERGED℠ for 2024-25). Use bullet points or short paragraphs to summarize findings.

• Sources of Information: Mention where your team gathered information (e.g., books, websites, interviews with experts).

2. Problem Identification

• The Problem Statement: Clearly define the problem your team decided to address. Use visuals like diagrams or charts to make it more engaging.

• Why It Matters: Explain why solving this problem is important and how it connects to the theme.

3. Exploration Process

• Team Activities: Showcase photos or descriptions of how your team explored the topic, such as experiments, brainstorming sessions, or field trips.

• Tools and Methods: Include any tools, models, or creative methods your team used to investigate the topic.

4. Visuals and Interactive Elements

• Use pictures, drawings, or infographics to make the section visually appealing.

• Add interactive elements like flaps or QR codes linking to videos of your research process.

5. Connection to Core Values

• Emphasize how teamwork and collaboration helped in the discovery process. For example, mention how each team member contributed unique ideas or skills.

By organizing these elements clearly and creatively, you can effectively communicate your team’s discovery journey while keeping it engaging for viewers.

In the “Integration” area of your FLL Explore poster, include the following key elements to effectively showcase how your team applied what they learned:

1. Application of Core Values

• Provide specific examples of how your team applied Core Values (e.g., teamwork, inclusion, discovery) to situations outside of FLL.

• Highlight moments where these values influenced your behavior in school, at home, or in the community.

2. Real-Life Skills and Knowledge

• Share how your team used the skills and knowledge gained from FLL (e.g., problem-solving, research, collaboration) in everyday life. For instance:

  • Did you solve a real-world problem using what you learned?

  • Did you apply teamwork strategies to another group project?

3. Personal Growth

• Reflect on how individual team members grew during the season. For example:

  • Gaining confidence in public speaking.

  • Learning to listen and value diverse perspectives.

4. Community Impact

• Include examples of how your team shared their discoveries or inspired others in the community. For instance:

  • Presenting your project to classmates or local organizations.

  • Encouraging others to explore STEM topics.

5. Visuals and Stories

• Use photos, quotes, or drawings to illustrate these experiences.

• Share short stories or anecdotes that demonstrate how FLL has influenced your team’s actions outside the competition.

This section is about showing how FLL has made a meaningful impact on your team’s lives and their surroundings, so focus on real-world connections and personal experiences