Social studies classes could use this resource to discuss solutions for communities experiencing power outages or in areas without electricity.
A discussion about renewable energy and the use of solar in different parts of the world would be a logical follow-up to this activity.
Have students carry out modifications to the provided design and challenge them to optimize their cookers.
Similar resources to consider include this video about reusing materials to make a solar oven and these resources about "daylighting" homes and buildings and passive home design.
Scientist Notes
This resource is a lesson plan describing how do build a solar oven as well as how a solar oven works. The lesson plan comes from the Department of Energy, and is clearly presented and simple. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ETS1: Engineering Design
MS-ETS1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
3-5-ETS1-1 Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
PS1: Matter and its Interactions
MS-PS1-6 Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processes.
5-PS1-3 Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.
PS3: Energy
MS-PS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
