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Database Provider

Authors

NEED, Department of Energy

Grades

3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

Subjects

Science, Physics, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Design Thinking

Resource Types

  • Project
  • Lesson Plan

Regional Focus

Global

Format

PDF

Making a Solar Oven

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Synopsis

  • This activity from the US Department of Energy teaches students about solar ovens and provides instructions on building a simple solar cooker.
  • The resource is a downloadable PDF with detailed instructions. 

Teaching Tips

Positives

  • Students will be engaged in building a solar oven that actually works.
  • Students of different learning types will be engaged in this hands-on activity.

Additional Prerequisites

  • There is a list of materials needed for students to construct the ovens, but students could easily substitute with other materials.
  • You could provide context for the activity with this resource about greenhouse gas emissions and this one about climate solutions.

Differentiation

  • 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)
    • 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.
      • HS-PS3-3 Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.
  • 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.
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11-12 texts and topics.
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