Solar Oven Engineering

Summary:

Students will create a solar oven to explore sunlight and energy transfer. Grades K-2 will talk about sunlight and the basics of the sun and heat. Grades 3-5 will go more in depth into energy transfer and will apply this to heat transfer of the sun into their solar ovens. This activity is a little more complicated so there is an optional tutorial for teachers to include in their slideshows for younger or more disorganized classes. This activity is the last one for the year, so it is also meant to be fun and a way to get outside.

Standards:

[ESS.2.1.1] Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to summarize how energy from the sun serves as a source of light and warms the land, air, and water.                      

[PS.3.3.2] Carry out investigations to explain how energy can be transferred from a warmer object to a cooler one by contact or at a distance.

Supplies:

• Small Cardboard Boxes [Need Assembling]

• Aluminum Foil

• Black Construction Paper

• Plastic Wrap

• Wooden Dowels

• Tape

• Food Items [Provided by Teacher]

Additional Materials:

Flyer

Slides

Design Sheets