The ASA/NCTM Joint Committee on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability and the ASA’s education department encourage students and their advisers to participate in its annual poster competition.

What is a statistical poster? A statistical poster is a display containing two or more related graphics that summarize a set of data, look at the data from different points of view, and answer specific questions about the data.

Rules

Posters must measure between 18 and 24 inches high and 24 and 30 inches wide.

Any weight of paper is permitted.

The best way to send the poster is flat, between taped sheets of cardboard. Do not send posters rolled in a tube. Between 200 and 400 posters are entered, so send posters using a method that lends itself to easy opening with a razor. No extra papers, “peanuts,” or other non-Earth-friendly packing materials should be included.

Be sure posters are not wrapped so securely that opening them becomes a challenge. Do not use duct tape or large amounts of tape.

Any layers of paper on posters must be affixed securely.

Posters must be the original design and creation of the entrant(s).

Computer graphics may be used.

Subject matter is the choice of the participant(s) or their classmates.

An example of the original data and brief descriptions of the method of collection and purpose of the experiment must be taped securely to the back of the poster. (Cite references for published data.)

In submitting a poster, students agree that the poster may be displayed at the ASA’s Joint Statistical Meetings, featured in its publications, and included on its website.

All entries become the property of the ASA and cannot be returned.

Only first-, second-, and third-place winners and honorable mentions will be notified personally. The ASA website will announce winners in August.

Students may work individually or in teams. For those in the K–3 category, there is no restriction on the size of the team. For other categories, the maximum number of students per team is four. For teams with members from different grade levels, the highest grade determines the entry category.

Evaluation

Teachers and statisticians, whose decisions are final, will judge the posters on the following:

• Overall impact of the display for eye-catching appeal, visual attractiveness, and its ability to draw the viewer to investigate the individual graphs (more than one graph is required for all but the K–3 category)
• Clarity of the message’s demonstration of important relationships and patterns, obvious conclusions, and ability to stand alone, even without the explanatory paragraph on the back
• Appropriateness of the graphics for the data
• Creativity

There is no entry fee, but your poster must be postmarked by April 1 and sent to Poster Competition, 732 North Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1943.

For details, visit the ASA’s website.