Science Fair Project Supplies Checklist 2026

This checklist is for students, families, and educators gathering supplies for a science fair project. It covers both the materials that support experiments and the items that help students present their work clearly.

Age 18–24?Offer from Amazon

Prime made for students and young adults

• Fast, free delivery for dorm and study essentials
• Prime Video and Amazon Music included
• Member-only deals

Try Prime for Young Adults →Free trial for eligible 18–24 year olds

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.Hide

The sections follow the project from display planning to hands-on work. Some are advice-only slots without a named product; others include a specific pick to consider.

Use the list to match each item to your project before buying. Check the board or paper dimensions your school requires, and confirm that any tool or safety gear fits the student and the experiment.

Tri-fold Presentation Boards

A tri-fold board gives a project a defined place for its title, question, process, results, and conclusion. Before choosing one, check the fair’s instructions for the required format and maximum dimensions. A board that is too large may be awkward to transport or may not fit the assigned display area; one that is too small can leave information crowded. Measure the display space and plan the layout before attaching anything.

Common mistakes include choosing a board by appearance alone, leaving no room for charts or captions, and assembling the display before all sections are ready. Sketch a simple layout first, allowing space for readable headings and visual material. If the display needs to travel, consider how the board will be carried and stored without bending. Confirm whether the fair expects a particular orientation or board style, since requirements can vary by event. Follow the fair’s specifications and reserve room for the project’s essential information.

What to look for:

• Confirm the fair’s required board format
• Measure the permitted display width and height
• Plan space for headings, charts, and captions
• Choose a board that can be transported easily
• Check the orientation requested by the event

Poster Printing Paper

Printed charts, labels, and images can make information easier to scan, but paper choice should follow the project’s display plan. First determine what needs to be printed and how each piece will attach to the board or stand. Check the available printer and its supported paper sizes and types before preparing files. Match paper to the printer and to the dimensions of the display rather than assuming every sheet will work.

A frequent mistake is printing everything at the same size without checking readability from a short distance. Preview the layout, keep text comfortably legible, and avoid printing decorative material that crowds out results or explanations. If several pieces will sit together, plan their spacing and orientation before printing. Consider whether the paper will be handled, carried, or attached with a particular adhesive, and check that the chosen format suits that use. Test the layout first with a draft or on-screen preview so corrections happen before final pages are prepared.

What to look for:

• Check printer-supported paper sizes and types
• Match printed dimensions to the display plan
• Preview text size and readability
• Plan spacing and orientation for multiple pieces
• Consider how pages will be attached and transported

Adhesive Glue Dots

Glue dots can help attach small pieces to a display without spreading liquid adhesive across the board. The named pick is Glue Dots Crafter’s Pack Double-Sided Mini Dots Micro Dots 825 Count. Before using dots on the finished display, check that their size suits the pieces being attached and that the materials can hold together as intended. A small test on spare material can help reveal whether the attachment works for the project.

A common mistake is assuming one adhesive will suit every material or every item. Lightweight paper pieces and heavier components may need different support, and removable versus lasting attachment may matter if the board will be reused. Check the project’s materials and the fair’s display rules, and keep adhesive away from experiment equipment or any surface where it could interfere with the work. Test the bond on a sample before attaching important labels or results. Apply pieces deliberately so the display stays readable and nothing covers essential information.

What to look for:

• Check dot size against the pieces being attached
• Test adhesion on spare versions of project materials
• Consider whether attachments need to be removable
• Use additional support for items that need it
• Keep adhesive clear of equipment and key information

Project Display Stands

A display stand can support project materials when a board needs to sit upright or a separate item must be presented. First identify what the stand needs to hold, where it will be used, and whether the fair provides a display surface. Check the event setup before selecting a stand so the project fits its assigned space and does not depend on equipment the venue cannot accommodate.

One common mistake is choosing a stand without checking the dimensions and weight of the item it will support. Compare the stand’s usable support area with the project, and consider whether it will remain steady on the expected surface. If students need to carry the stand, confirm that it can be transported alongside the board and other supplies. Also check whether the project has any event-specific restrictions on supports or display equipment. Match the stand to the project and try the setup before fair day, leaving enough room for visitors to view the work safely.

What to look for:

• Confirm whether the fair provides a display surface
• Compare the support area with the project dimensions
• Check that the setup is stable on the expected surface
• Consider how the stand will be carried and stored
• Review event rules for display equipment

Laboratory Safety Goggles

Eye protection is an important part of planning an experiment that could expose students to splashes, particles, or other eye hazards. The named pick is Yunsailing Protective Safety Goggles – Clear Anti-Fog Eye Protection f. Check the experiment’s instructions and the school’s safety guidance to determine what protection is appropriate; the product name alone does not establish suitability for every activity. Follow the school’s safety rules and ask an educator when the hazard or required protection is unclear.

A frequent fit mistake is choosing goggles that do not sit securely or comfortably on the student. Check that they cover the eyes as intended, stay in place during movement, and work with any other required protective equipment. If a student wears prescription eyewear, verify compatibility before relying on the goggles. Inspect the fit before the experiment begins, and replace or adjust gear that is damaged or does not stay positioned. Keep the goggles accessible with the project materials so students can put them on before handling experiment supplies.

What to look for:

• Confirm the required protection with school guidance
• Check that goggles fit securely and comfortably
• Verify compatibility with prescription eyewear if needed
• Make sure the fit stays in place during movement
• Inspect the goggles before the experiment

Digital Kitchen Scales

A scale can help students measure ingredients or materials when a project calls for weighing them. The named pick is OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display. Before choosing a scale, identify what the experiment needs to measure and check that the scale’s capacity and measurement units suit those materials. Consult the project instructions, since a kitchen scale may not be appropriate for every measurement task.

A common mistake is overlooking the size of the items, the precision the project requires, or the units used in the instructions. Check that the display can be read while the material is on the weighing surface, and consider whether the scale can sit on a stable, level work area. If students will weigh containers, confirm that the method accounts for the container’s weight. Match the scale to the measurement and practice the procedure before recording results. Keep the scale clean and use it only as directed for the project materials.

What to look for:

• Check that capacity suits the materials being weighed
• Confirm the required measurement units
• Verify that the scale meets the project’s precision needs
• Use a stable, level surface for measurements
• Plan how to account for container weight

Start with supplies that affect the project plan: confirm the fair’s display rules, identify experiment needs, and check safety guidance. Then choose supporting items such as printing paper, adhesive, a stand, or measuring tools based on the materials and setup you have already confirmed. This buying order reduces guesswork and helps avoid supplies that do not fit the project.

Gather items early enough to check fit, test attachments, and practice the display setup. Keep the fair’s instructions close as you work, and ask an educator when a requirement or safety question is uncertain. With a clear plan and the right supplies for the task, students can focus on sharing what they learned.

×HALLOWEEN

Halloween Picks

halloween

halloween

View Latest Price

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.