At Innovative Science Solutions, we believe that practical science is powerful science. Nothing helps students understand a concept better than seeing it in action through exciting, hands-on experiments.

Here are 10 must-try experiments for high school science classes, all aligned with the CAPS, IEB, and Cambridge curricula. These activities are easy to set up with the right lab equipment, and they are guaranteed to spark curiosity in your classroom. 

1. Microscope Mania: Exploring Plant and Animal Cells. Students prepare onion and cheek cell slides, stain them, and observe under a microscope. A classic, but powerful way to teach cell structure. You will need: Microscope, slides, iodine solution, methylene blue, droppers. 

2. Combustion in Action: Burning Magnesium Demonstrate a chemical reaction with light and heat energy. Great for showing exothermic reactions and oxidation. You will need: Magnesium ribbon, tongs, Bunsen burner, safety goggles. 

3. The Lemon Battery Perfect for teaching electricity and circuits. Students use lemons to generate voltage and light an LED. You will need: Lemons, zinc and copper electrodes, wires, multimeter, small LED bulbs.️ 

4. Measuring the Rate of Reaction (Catalase in Liver)Investigate how surface area or temperature affects enzyme activity. A fantastic intro to enzymes and biological reactions. You will need: Liver samples, hydrogen peroxide, test tubes, measuring cylinders. 

5. Chromatography of Ink or Plant Pigments Teach separation techniques by showing how different components move through filter paper. You will need: Filter paper, chromatography solvent, markers or spinach leaves, beakers. 

6. The Power of Electromagnetism Wrap copper wire around an iron nail and connect to a battery to build a basic electromagnet. You will need: Iron nails, insulated copper wire, batteries, paper clips for testing. 

7. Investigating Gas Laws: Charles Law with Balloons Show how temperature affects gas volume. Place a balloon over a flask and heat/cool it to observe expansion. You will need: Balloons, glass flasks, hot water, ice bath. 

8. Photosynthesis in Action: Oxygen from Elodea. A beautiful biology experiment where students observe bubbles released by a water plant under light. You will need: Elodea (or similar), beaker, light source, ruler, stopwatch.️ 

9. Neutralisation Reaction: Titration with Indicators. A brilliant experiment to teach acids, bases, and pH levels. Perfect for chemistry labs. You will need: Burette, pipette, conical flask, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, phenolphthalein.️  

10. Build a Simple Distillation Apparatus Show separation of mixtures using boiling point differences great for real-world chemistry.Youll need: Distillation flask, condenser, heat source, thermometer, salt water.

✅ Make It Easy with the Right Equipment. All of these experiments are possible and affordable with quality tools from Innovative Science Solutions. We supply lab equipment that is:

Curriculum-aligned

Built for durability

Affordable for South African schools