The document describes the eLabBench, a system developed to support exploratory science in biology laboratories. The eLabBench allows biologists to access digital tools and capture data directly on the lab bench. It consists of a multi-touch screen embedded in the lab bench surface. The eLabBench supports various levels of data capture, organization of information around lab activities, and interaction with physical tools like sample racks through embedded tags. A long-term deployment with biologists found that the eLabBench blended lab and office work, enabled computation in the lab, and supported changes to experimental plans.