Make a Solar Oven
What better way to kick off the summer season than to make your very own solar oven at home with the kids.
It is a great way to utilize the start of these hot summer days, learn a little science and have a sweet treat in between!
What You’ll Need
Start by saving an old pizza box, grabbing some aluminum foil, scissors, black construction paper, plastic wrap, tape, a ruler and ingredients for s’mores (chocolate bar, graham crackers and marshmallows).
What You Do
- Draw a square about 2 inches in on the top of the pizza box. Cut along the lines on three sides of the square, leaving the top attached to form a hinge. A box cutter or Xacto knife might be easier to use for this.
- Fold up the square flap that you have made. Prop open the flap of the square with a ruler, and then cover the top flap with aluminum foil. This will be what reflects and concentrates sunlight into the box.
- Then, tape down some black construction paper on the bottom of the inside of the box. Black absorbs sunlight more than any other color, and this will help convert the heat in the box and warm the food at a faster rate.
- Place your uncooked s’mores in the box and seal the open top with plastic wrap. The plastic will allow sunlight to enter the “oven” while also sealing in heat. Turn your solar oven so that the aluminum flap is facing the sun. Did your marshmallows melt?
How It Works
Similar to a greenhouse, a solar oven uses the plastic to let sunlight in but then traps the heat, while the reflection of the aluminum allows for an increase in heat in the process.
