Here is a great science craft to teach kids about alternative energy: a solar oven! Harnessing the power of the sun is cool and teaches us about caring for our environment and using renewable resources. Best of all, kids can make a snack they love, nachos, using the solar oven they made using this DIY. The directions are remarkably easy and you might already own all of the materials needed. It’s a wonderful summer activity to do with your own kids, or in a community or classroom setting.
I learned how to make this at Biscayne National Park’s Family Fun Fest, which was all about the sun.
Step One: Order pizza.
Did I mention how much you’re going to love this project?
Seriously, a pizza box is an ideal container for this project, but any lidded cardboard box will do.
Materials Needed to Make a Solar Oven
pizza box
sheet of plastic (a report cover or page protector works great)
foil
tape
a piece of study wire or a pencil
How to Make a Solar Oven
1. Cut 3/4 of a square out of the lid of the pizza box. Make it big as this is your solar panel, but leave one side attached. Tape a piece of foil to cover the underside of it.
2. Open the box and tape your sheet of plastic to the underside of the lid, so it is covered. Be sure to make a decent seal, as this will trap the heat in the oven.
3. Line the inside of the box, including sides, with foil.
4. Use a piece of wire wedged into the little holes in the sides of the box or a pencil to prop open the lid.
How to Use Your Solar Oven to Cook
1. Put some food inside. Nachos work great as they don’t spoil easily.
2. Close the lid and place the oven in a sunny spot in which the solar panel faces direct sunlight.
3. Wait. Wait. Wait. And eat!
4. Of course, it goes without saying, be sure to recycle these ovens when you’re done.
Teacher Notes
1. Explain solar energy before the project.
2. Cut the solar panel squares, sheets of foil and wire in advance to make it easier.
3. Plan this activity for a hot time of the day if you live in a Northern climate. This can take a while, so have another activity to do while the nachos cook.
4. You can make a larger oven and bake mac and cheese in advance of the lesson.
This is an ingenious idea that works very well during the summer when the Sun is up.
I already tried it when I went in wilderness with my family and I confess that it was more than practical and smart to use the Sun as heat source for cooking our food outside.
The taste of the meal was also extremely delicious, thanks for the idea.
That’s wonderful, Amber! What a great memory!!
I love the pizza box! I did this with my dad when I was young. In fact, he built a sustainable house and has a solar oven built in. My son’s a little too young now to do this, but I’m putting it on my bucket list or I’ll have grandpa show him how!
Unfortunately, the time and temperature of your day will make a difference, so I can’t give you an exact answer. choose a hot day and a time when you get direct, strong sunlight.
Hi Megan. I wish I could answer your question, but there are too many variables involved: the temperature of the day, the time and intensity of the sunlight, how deep your nachos are. Ours took about 10-15 minutes. If you want to get the quickest results choose a hot day a time when you will get a lot of strong sunlight, and be sure to have the nachos in a thin layer. Good luck and have fun with this!
I love this idea, but I need to know how long it usually takes to bake the nachos?
how long does it take
Yes! They love it (and I did too)!
This is so cool! It would be the perfect summer activity for kids!
Great, Vivianna!
What a fun idea – also pinning for later!
This is great idea! On my list! Thanks for sharing!
That’s great!
What a fun project! I think my kids are too young to understand this right now, but I think they would love it as they get older!
You had me at “step one”! haha But on a serious note, this will be a great school project for me and my son to try! Thanks for sharing!
OMG this looks like a fun project. Will definitely think about doing it next summer when we get up to 18 hours of daylight here in Alaska 🙂
I love this! This is soooo much fun to do as well, I might try it since it’s way too hot down here in Florida.
Xx
Laura | http://www.twentyteenz.com
Any project that starts with ordering pizza sounds like a good project to me!
it looks awesome cant wait to try it haha lol funna
Great! Let us know how it goes.
I love this idea! I am going to do this with my class on Earth Day. Thank You!