This resource highlights the value and simplicity of energy from the Sun, as they watch a man construct a solar oven from materials he had on hand and then use it to cook a meal.
Students will learn about the basics of solar energy, how to build a solar oven, and how this sustainable resource can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels in many areas or during certain times of the year.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This engaging video gives students the opportunity to see one way that everyday tasks can be accomplished using more environmentally sustainable methods.
This site contains links to 10 additional resources.
Additional Prerequisites
If teachers choose to build a solar oven in class, the best model should be chosen ahead of time in order to collect the appropriate materials.
The link to solar oven s'mores is broken, however similar recipes could be found elsewhere.
Differentiation
This resource provides links to directions for a variety of methods of building a solar oven in class and teachers can choose the best design based on material availability and the ages of students.
Students could build solar ovens in groups and find simple recipes to try cooking with them.
This digital text could help young learners explore the basics of solar energy.
Other resources on this topic include this video which provides an overview of some ways to harness the sun's energy, this solar oven project, and this video showcasing fourth graders who created a solar-powered classroom.
Scientist Notes
This video shows how you can use everyday materials, the Sun, and the principles of electromagnetic radiation to create a zero-waste, emission free, solar-powered oven. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
PS3: Energy
MS-PS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.
4-PS3-4 Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Informational Text (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
