AP Biology Lab Notebook Setup
Mrs. Willis
 Use a marble composition book; college ruled; hard cover
 Make sure your NAME (first and last) and your BLOCK are on the front cover in PEN
 Number all pages on the top right hand corner for pages on the right, left top corner for pages on
the left (so front and back of each page)
 Page 1 is reserved for the Table of Contents
 Table of Contents should have a column for Date, Lab Title, Page #, and Grade (see below). You
will leave the “Grade” column blank and that is where I will write your score for that lab. Each lab
is 15 points in the Summative Category
 Any worksheets or handouts should be stapled or taped with the fold on the RIGHT side (it should
open OUT of the notebook –NOT BE HANGING OUT OF THE SIDE OF THE NOTEBOOK WHEN YOU
HAND IT IN – DON’T BE SLOPPY…I WILL TAKE POINTS OFF!!)
 The Lab Safety Rules should be taped to the second page of your book (back of the first page).
 You may write in pen or pencil but make sure your handwriting is neat so I can read it. If you need
to make charts or graphs for a lab, use a ruler to make sure it looks straight. Be sure to title each
lab and include the names of your lab partners.
Here is an example of what your table of contents should look like:
1
Table of Contents
Date
9/2/14
9/3/14
Title of Lab
Lab Safety Guidelines
Scientific Method Lab
Page
2
3
Grade
Grading and PreLabs:
Labs will be 15 points each in the summative category. The will be graded on both completeness and
correctness, so make sure you do your best. Before we do each lab, you will have a PreLab to complete.
This must be done prior to coming to class and before doing the lab. The PreLabs for each lab will look
similar to this:


Title and date of the lab(remember to include your lab partners names)
Purpose - 1-2 sentences describing the major goal of the experiment





Hypothesis – create a clear and concise hypothesis if applicable for the lab (if/then statement
that is measurable)
Procedure - an easy to follow numbered list of steps that will be performed in the lab written in
your own words.
o You may wish to sketch diagrams to help you visualize the steps of the lab. Once you are
finished the pre-lab, you should be able to do your lab report without consulting with
the lab handout.
PreLab Questions – If there are pre-lab questions that go with the individual lab, they would go
after the procedure. You need to copy the question and then answer it for full credit.
Data - As you write your pre-lab, create any data tables required. Give each table a title and be
sure it is properly labeled. Make this neat! This will be filled in as you do your lab.
Identify control(s), dependent and independent variables  Identify any independent variables
that are being held constant in the experimental group. Ex: amount of fluid/ beaker, length of
time for interval reading
During the Lab, you will complete the following sections:

Analysis and Results:
o All data shown (tables filled in that you created during your pre-lab) and the PROPER
UNITS are used
o If you need calculations for the lab, they must be shown here (create a separate
calculations section)
o All pictures and diagrams labeled and easy to follow; must be in color (use colored
pencils)
o Can easily follow the results obtained in the data

Conclusions:
o Analysis and conclusion questions correctly answered (you need to number the question,
rewrite the question, and then answer it for full credit)
o Conclusion Paragraph (if applicable) after your analysis and conclusion questions:
 State your overall conclusions from the lab
 Discuss your sources of error and any troubleshooting you did
 State whether your hypothesis was correct or not (you need to restate your
hypothesis here) and how the data supported it (or not) YOU WILL NOT BE
PENALIZED IF YOUR HYPOTHESIS WAS INCORRECT
Other things to keep in mind:
 Remember to include your list of lab partners (If applicable)
 Write easy to read and complete sentences
 Good organization (make sure you follow the outline listed above!)
 Make sure to meet all the requirements for the specific lab
Lab Safety Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Always wear safety goggles in the lab!!!
No backpacks or purses at the lab tables.
Never apply cosmetics during labs
No food or drink
Know the locations of the following
a. Eyewash  where is it? _______________________________________________
b. Safety shower  where is it? ___________________________________________
c. Fire Blanket  where is it? _____________________________________________
d. Fire Extinguisher  where is it? _________________________________________
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
No HORESEPLAY - it can lead to unintended accidents.
Never perform unauthorized experiments.
Never remove chemicals or equipment from the classroom.
Never use chemicals from unlabeled containers.
When heating test tubes. . .
a. Never direct the mouth of a test tube or flask at yourself or another person.
b. ALWAYS point the mouth away from people!
11. Keep flammable substances away from heat sources.
12. Never turn on the gas when not using a Bunsen burner.
13. Clean up all spills immediately
a. Never return spilled or unused material to the reagent bottle.
b. Solids should be swept up and placed in the waste disposal container.
c. Small liquid spills should be diluted with lots of water and mopped with a towel.
d. ALL chemical spills must be handled by the instructor.
14. If you break glassware notify your instructor immediately. DO NOT attempt to clean it up
yourself.
15. In cases of exposure to harmful chemicals:
a. notify your instructor
b. if chemicals came into contact with your eyes you must use the eyewash station
immediately
c. remove any clothing that may have chemical contamination
d. move everyone away from the area to avoid further contamination
16. Report ALL injuries, spills or accidents to your instructor.