Cook Sunshine In A Box

Solar ovens teach kids that there is energy all around us. They don’t have to go anywhere to find it. By using some cardboard (a clean pizza carton), aluminum foil, black paper, clear plastic wrap, scissors, a ruler, and a wooden spoon, you can create a solar oven that gives your child a way to experience the power of the sun in the form of a warm snack.

You can also use other low cardboard boxes, but make sure the top opens and closes. An adult should do the cutting and supervise children throughout the experiment.

How to Make a Solar Oven

The first step is to draw a square on the top of the carton. Make sure to leave plenty of space from the corners of the box. After drawing the square, ask an adult to cut along three sides of the square. Open the flap created by folding up the remaining side. Take aluminum foil and cover the inside of the flap. Once covered with foil, press down on the center of the flap to remove any creases. This shiny surface will help direct sunlight into the oven.

Next, put a sheet of black paper across the bottom of the carton. Black absorbs more light than white, helping create conditions that allow warmth to accumulate within the carton. Then, place two sheets of plastic wrap across the opening at the top of the carton. Use tape to secure them. Since you’ve placed these sheets of plastic together, it makes it more difficult for warm air to escape. When placing the plastic sheets together, try to keep them taut and away from anything else you plan to place in the oven.

Using the Solar Oven

Once everything is prepared, carry your solar oven outside on a sunny, still day. Find a dry spot to set it up. If needed, place it on a table. Angle the solar oven’s flap toward the sun. Hold the flap at an angle with your wooden spoon until you see light coming through the flap and onto the black paper.

Select foods that only require heating. Examples include crackers with melted chocolate and marshmallows. Put them on a plate in the middle of the oven. Close the top and wait to observe what happens. Do not attempt to use the solar oven to cook any food that requires cooking before serving, such as meat or eggs. The carton can reach high temperatures, so always use oven mitts when handling the plate after closing the oven.

Record and Compare Your Results

Your results will vary based on several factors, including seasonal changes, cloud coverage, wind direction, and other weather conditions. Document the weather data along with information about your starting point and how long it took for the chocolate to melt. Try changing one element each time you run the experiment. For example, you could increase the size of the foil flap or add additional insulation. Record each change and observe how it affects the results.