Book 5, Question 124
Write It Down! Why Is a Notebook a Tool?
A notebook helps scientists remember what they saw, measured, and thought. Notes can be checked later and shared with others. Just like a shovel or a microscope, a notebook is a tool for science.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 5
More fun facts
- Writing information down by hand instead of typing can help you learn and remember it better.
- When you write by hand, you have to think about what is important enough to write.
- One memory researcher says she would type an essay but take class notes by hand.
- Slowing down to write by hand makes people think more while they take notes.
- Park scientists keep field notebooks to record what they see while working outdoors.
- Scientists also use computer notebooks that mix code and writing to share the stories in their data.
Sources: BBC, Science News Explores, National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey
Questions kids ask
Is writing by hand better than typing for notes?
Studies suggest writing by hand helps you learn and remember better.