Renewable Energy

Most of the electricity generation in the world today is generated from resources that are classified as nonrenewable. That means that the resources are limited and that they will not be able to be used indefinitely.

Our society is dependent on coal and other nonrenewable energy sources, like petroleum and natural gas. These resources are not only limited, but they also release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.

Renewable energy sources, like solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectricity, are cleaner energy sources. They are renewable, meaning there is an unlimited supply. Research and technology advancements are making these types of energy sources more readily available, but there is still work to be done to use these sources on a large scale worldwide.

Build a Solar Oven - Alternative Energy Activity

Did you know we can use the sun's power to cook food? In this fun and hands-on activity, you will learn how to build your solar oven from a cardboard box. We will also demonstrate how to make S'mores in the solar oven.

Materials Needed:

  • A box with a folding lid, like a pizza box.

  • Pencil or pen

  • Ruler

  • White school glue

  • A sheet of black paper

  • Utility knife

  • Aluminum foil

  • Plastic wrap

  • Electrical or packing tape

  • A wooden skewer or pencil

Procedure:

  1. Clean the box out if needed.

  2. On the lid of the box, measure one inch in from each edge and draw a square.

  3. Have an adult cut each line, except the side attached to the box, with a utility knife.

  4. Use glue and aluminum foil to completely line the flap.

  5. Use plastic wrap to cover the opening. Tape the plastic wrap down with electrical or packing tape. Make sure that there are no gaps in the plastic wrap and the box.

  6. Use aluminum foil to line the bottom of the box.

  7. Trim the foil and tape it in place.

  8. Tape a piece of black construction paper in the center of the bottom of the box. This will help pull the solar energy into the box.

  9. Tape a skewer or pencil on the side to hold the reflective flap up if needed.

  10. Try your solar oven on a warm, sunny day. Use an oven thermometer if you'd like to see how hot the oven can get.

Gather materials: box with attached lid, scissors, utility knife, glue, electrical tape, packing tape,aluminum foil, plastic wrap, ruler, oven thermometer, and skewer

Measure one inch around the sides of the boxes lid and draw a rectangle.

Have an adult cut out the flap. Cut all sides except the one attached to the center of the box.

Gently fold in the flap toward the side the is attached.

Put glue on the flap and wrap it with the aluminum foil.

Try to make this as smooth as possible.

Move the flap out of the way and wrap the oven window with plastic wrap.

Make sure the plastic wrap covers the window completely.

Tape the plastic wrap around down around the edges. We used electrical tape but the packing tape would work as well.

Next line the inside of the box with aluminum foil.

Trim the edges of foil and tape it onto the box.

Create a center square with black construction paper and tape it in the box.

Tape a skewer to the side of the box. This can help angle the reflective flap, if needed.

Try it out! Leave it outside for at least 30 minutes in the direct sun. Try to angle the reflective flap so the sun is pulled into the box.

On a partially cloudy day, our solar oven reached 150 degrees fahrenheit!