🔬 Can You Do IB Science Labs at Home?
Yes—you can conduct IB science experiments outside of school if you follow IB rules. RevisionDojo assures students that external labs are permitted with proper supervision, planning, and documentation to ensure the work meets IB standards.
- Read full guidelines on IB labs outside school: Can I Do the IB Science Lab Outside of School?
✅ Conditions for Approved Home Labs
Supervision
A qualified supervisor (like a teacher or lab technician) must oversee the experiment to verify validity and safety.
Documentation
You must record:
- detailed methodology
- data and observations
- reflection/evaluation justifying your approach
This ensures reliability and consistency with standard lab reporting.
Safety & Approval
Use only safe setups, wear protective gear, and get written approval from your IB coordinator or science teacher beforehand.
RevisionDojo emphasizes securing early approval and planning in advance.
🧪 What Experiments Are Suitable at Home?
While school labs are ideal, many straightforward IA investigations can be done at home:
- Simple titrations using household acids/bases (vinegar + baking soda), if safely controlled.
- Osmosis studies using potatoes, carrots, and sugar solutions.
- Plant growth tests under varying light, water, or soil conditions.
- Enzyme activity investigations using safe reagents (e.g., catalase with potato juice and hydrogen peroxide).
RevisionDojo encourages choosing experiments that avoid hazardous chemicals, use safe environments, and are logistically manageable outside of school.
📋 Step-by-Step Home Lab Process
- Plan your research question and method carefully.
- Seek official approval and confirm supervisor availability.
- Conduct trials in a controlled, documented manner—record data meticulously.
- Ensure apparatus and reagents are safe and familiar.
- Reflect on risks, limitations, and potential improvements in your IA report.
🛠️ Why Conduct Labs Remotely?
- Access to equipment missing at school
- Flexibility for extended or repeated trials
- Potential for deeper engagement with your IA if lab time is limited
RevisionDojo notes that remote labs can enhance learning—if handled with care and oversight.
📊 Summary Table: Home vs School Labs
Factor At School Lab At Home (With Approval) Supervision Teacher/Lab technician on site Qualified supervisor required Equipment & Safety Full lab infrastructure Use safe, household materials and settings Documentation Formal notebooks and lab reports Detailed records and structured IA report required Approval Automatically granted through school Must get IB coordinator’s permission Experiment Complexity Can handle hazardous or advanced tests Select simple, safe, and reproducible procedures
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I substitute a home experiment for my IA?
Yes—as long as it meets IB criteria: supervision, safety, accurate records, and prior approval.
Q2. Which experiments are safe at home?
Low-risk tests like osmosis, basic plant growth studies, safe enzyme reactions, or standard nutrition investigations.
Q3. What if my school lacks facilities?
Home labs are a valid alternative if officially approved and safely conducted.
Q4. Do I need special materials?
Only household or easily sourced items—no dangerous chemicals or complex equipment.
Q5. How do I document home lab work for IB?
Follow IA expectations: detailed methodology, clear data tables, error evaluation, and safe reflection.
Q6. How does RevisionDojo support home labs?
RevisionDojo provides IA planning guides, practical safety tips, and structure templates tailored for experiments you can do safely outside the typical lab.
🎓 Final Thoughts
You can conduct valid IB science experiments at home—if you plan carefully, gain approval, follow safety protocols, and keep comprehensive documentation. Home labs are especially useful when school resources are limited and your IA topic is feasible outside a school lab. With RevisionDojo’s guidance, you can design safe, credible, and effective investigations aligned with IB requirements.
📣 Call to Action
Want help selecting or planning a home-based IA? Explore:
- RevisionDojo’s IA planning frameworks for biology, chemistry, or physics
- Templates for methodology, data logging, and risk evaluation
- Safe home experiment ideas that match IA criteria
