Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello Experts,

I was wondering, for the lab notebooks, I have been keeping one throughout the year for my project and have been using pen for each log I write. However, when I started my AP Biology course this year, my teacher said for school lab reports, everything should be in pencil. What is the correct way for a lab notebook? I checked the how to do a lab notebook section on sciencebuddies, but nowhere did it say about pen or pencil.

I just wanted to clarify this.

On a topic that is somewhat similar, but essential tangential, my query about how curcumin prohibits IL-2 from inducing proliferation of T-Cells is most probably not going to be my question anymore. I have found a mentor, and we have discussed this problem, and have decided based on several factors to change my purpose, but to still work with curcumin. I have written quite a few pages of research in my lab book about IL-2 and T-Cells and nuclear factors and what not. I also have a daily notes section where I write down my ideas and thoughts about my project. How would this work out. Should I continue from the same lab book or start a new one?

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Sareena

Sareena,
For writing in laboratory notebooks, I would recommend a pen. This web page describes some reasons for that, as well as the best pens for the job:
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurri ... advice.htm

If I were in your shoes, I would probably use the same notebook for the new project. The topic still relates to curcumin, and so you may occasionally have some interest in those old notes. But if you prefer to start a new notebook, I'm sure that is fine too.

Always do your lab books in pen. This way you can never erase, so the judges see all your mistakes and problems. (Never use white-out, just line things out).

From a judges point of view, we enjoy seeing and hearing the mistakes that you made. That's what real science is. We also tend to get suspicious of erasure or white-out...what are you trying to hide?

I would also reccomend using the same lab book. Judges like to see where you came from and ALL the work you have done.