Period 2 Solar Oven STEM Project
Click below for instructions to build your solar oven. We have no templates, so you will be measuring and cutting the panels.
- Make 2 large panels and 2 small panels.
- Carefully cut out the panels. When done, show your teacher to get foil.
- Working with one panel at a time, spread a thin layer of glue on the cardboard.
- Carefully cover the cardboard with aluminum foil. You may need to use more than one piece of aluminum foil to cover each panel.
- Trim the foil so that it’s right at the edge of the cardboard.
- Repeat steps 3 through 5 for the other three panels.
- Cut 8 pieces of tape that are each 60 cm long.
- Set up your panels like this, with the foil side facing down. Leave about 2 mm between each panel.
- Carefully tape together the panels at the joints.
- Carefully flip the joined panels over, so that the foil side faces up.
- Carefully tape together the joints on the foil-covered side.
- Stand your reflector up and fold the panels at the joints so that the foil-covered sides are inside.
- Have a partner hold the reflector in position while another person tapes together the last joint.
Be sure to tape the inside and outside of the last joint. THIS IS YOUR REFLECTOR...think about what the reflector will do. - Place your reflector on top of a cardboard box. The cardboard box will be your baking chamber! This is where you will place your baking pan.
- Tape the reflector to the cardboard box if you think it needs more stability.
- Fill the cardboard box with the insulating material of your choice (shredded paper, packing peanuts, etc.) INSULATORS: help keep heat in. This is why you wear a coat during the winter. What do you think will help your pan heat up and keep the heat in?
- Place the foil pan inside the box. You will need to create a way to put your baking pan into the cardboard box on the bottom. (Think how you put something into an oven!)
- Put the baking chamber inside the bottom of the reflector.
- Place your solar oven outside in the sun! Remember to wear sunglasses when looking at the reflector in the sun and use oven mitts to touch hot surfaces!