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Grounded by constructivism, the study explored students’ understanding of fundamental electrical concepts through hands-on activities involving series and parallel circuits. The study used a pre-post test design to evaluate their conceptual understanding of current, resistance, voltage and the effects of changes in circuits. The evaluation also assessed students’ perceptions of which experiment was most useful to their learning and their comprehension of the aims of scientific inquiry. The results indicated that students were unable to strengthen their knowledge of the characteristics of series and parallel circuits, in particular the relationship between current, voltage and resistance. Most students appreciated that scientific experiments involve scientists conducting experiments to test hypotheses, gather data, and enhance their understanding of natural phenomena. The results indicate that practical experimental tasks enhance their conceptual understanding, improve analytical reasoning and enable meaningful learning in the physical sciences. Empirical enquiries still represent a powerful means to increase scientific literacy and students’ engagement in science education.