The Admin Dashboard and Showcase Builder are the two primary interfaces you'll use to create, manage, and publish your STEM project showcases on ProjectBoard. This guide will help you understand how these interfaces work together and how to navigate between them efficiently.

What's the Difference Between the Admin Dashboard and Showcase Builder?

The Admin Dashboard is your central command center where you can:

• View and manage all your showcases
• Access your organizational settings
• Track payment history
• Access showcase analytics to track participation and visitor data

The Showcase Builder is where you customize and manage a specific showcase:

• Design the showcase appearance
• Create a project template
• Set showcase timelines
• Manage participant submissions
• Preview and publish your showcase

Think of the Admin Dashboard as your home base for all showcase management, while the Showcase Builder focuses on the details of one specific showcase.

Navigating the Admin Dashboard

When you log in to ProjectBoard, you'll first see your Admin Dashboard. Here's what you'll find:

1. Main Navigation Menu: Located on the left side of the screen, this menu provides access to:

   • Showcases: List of all your showcases
     
   • Payments: History of payment transactions for showcase upgrades
     
   • Admins: Add and manage admins for your organization
   • Settings: Your organization settings
     
   • Analytics: An overview of participant and visitor data per showcase
   • Help Center: Access to support resources

2. Showcase Management Area: The central part of the dashboard displays:

   • Your active showcases
   • Draft showcases
   • Quick action buttons to create new showcases and explore pricing plans

Creating a New Showcase

To create a new showcase from the Admin Dashboard:

1. Click the "+ Free Showcase" button on your dashboard
2. Enter a name for your showcase and a description
3. Add a logo and brand colors
4. Click on the "Submit" button to enter the Showcase Builder
   
5. You can return to the admin dashboard at any time by clicking the "Back to Admin Dashboard" button in the top left of the Showcase Builder

Understanding Draft vs. Live Status

Showcases in ProjectBoard have two primary states:

DRAFT - In this state:

• The showcase is only visible to admins
• You can fully edit all showcase components
• You can customize the URL, templates, design, and timeline
• Participants cannot access or submit projects

LIVE - In this state:

• The showcase is accessible to participants via your custom URL
• Certain elements (URL, project template, categories etc.) can no longer be modified
• Participants can register and submit projects according to your timeline
• You can still make some adjustments to the showcase design and timeline

Navigating the Showcase Builder

The Showcase Builder is where you'll spend most of your time setting up your showcase. Here's what you'll find:

1. General: Basic showcase information and URL settings
2. Design & Branding: Customize colors, logos, and banner images
3. Project Templates: Select and customize a template for participant submissions
   
4. Timeline: Set submission and showcase periods
5. Resources: Add relevant materials for participants
   
6. Categories: Add categories to filter projects in your showcase
   
7. Sponsors: Celebrate your main sponsors by displaying their logos on your showcase page
8. Participants: Review and manage participants
   
9. Project Submissions: Review and manage project submissions
   
10. Similarity Scans: Review results from our amazing Similarity Scanner
    
11. Create Awards: Add awards that can be assigned to projects
    
12. Give Awards: Assign and manage awards

At the top of the Showcase Builder, you'll find these important buttons:

• Preview Event: See how your showcase will appear to participants and visitors
• Copy Showcase URL: Get the link to share with participants
• Launch Event: Publish your showcase when it's ready for participant submissions

Tips for Efficient Showcase Management

• Start with the end in mind: Review all Showcase Builder sections before you begin building to understand the full scope of what you'll need to prepare.
• Save frequently: Always click "Update" after making changes in any section.
• Use the preview function: Check how your showcase appears to participants and visitors after making significant changes.
• Prepare materials in advance: Have your logo, banner images, resource documents, and template ideas ready before you start building.
• Plan your timeline carefully: Consider your promotional schedule and participant availability when setting submission and showcase periods.

Next Steps

Now that you understand the Admin Dashboard and Showcase Builder interface, you're ready to design your showcase! Read our Creating Your Showcase article to learn more.