Can You Construct A Solar Oven Using 3DuxDesign?
Objective: For this STEM challenge, students will learn about solar energy and how it can be used to cook food. Then, they will use pieces from the 3DuxDesign kit to design & construct a solar oven.
Watch this National Geographic video to introduce the concept of solar cooking: Solar Cooking | National Geographic
What you need per group...
- Can You Construct A Solar Oven Using 3DuxDesign? Creator Sheet
- Allow students to choose cardboard pieces from the 3DuxDesign GOBOX
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Clingfilm or zip-lock bag
- Black construction paper or paint
- Glue (glue sticks work best)
- Utility knife or scissors
- Tape
- Ruler
- Old newspaper or bulletin board paper for insulation
- Pencil or marker
- Graham crackers
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate
- Small aluminum pie pan
What you need to do...
- Start by breaking students up into groups of three or solo if distance/virtual learning or for older students.
- Tell students that the objective of this design is to construct a solar oven.
- Be sure the students follow a few guidelines as the develop their solar ovens.
- The oven needs to be at least three inches deep and wide enough to hold a pie pan.
- Students will begin brainstorming methods for constructing their solar oven.
- Make sure students are collaborating on the best way to design the oven that will allow for items to be taken in and out of the oven easily.
- Students will then sketch out a design making sure to include measurements, as this is crucial to the design process.
- Remember to think about the angle of the lid in order to maximize the use of the sun to heat their oven.
- Once the team agrees on the design, it is time to select the appropriate cardboard pieces and connectors along with the additional supplies needed to begin constructing their solar oven.
- First, on your creator sheet write down any issues you think might arise as you are constructing your design.
- Set up your solar oven outside on a sunny day, between 11am-3pm. Make sure you choose a sunny spot. Adjust the flap so that it reflects the most sunlight possible onto the cling film covered hole in the box lid. Use a ruler to prop open the flap at the right angle. This will pre-heat the solar oven and make sure the inside is hot when you put your food in.
- After you have pre-heated the oven, put the food you want to cook on a clear glass dish or plate and put it inside your solar oven. Remember to make sure as much sunlight as possible is reflected onto the cling film covered hole in the box.
- After students have tested their ovens, look at the design and make notes on what pieces need to be adjusted, IF given the opportunity to make design modifications and possibly retest.
We would love to see you try this STEM Challenge. Share your results with us through social media!
Happy Making,
Maker Maven
Can You Construct A Solar Oven Using 3DuxDesign? Teacher’s Guide
For this STEM challenge, students will learn about solar energy and how it can be used to cook food. Then, they will use pieces from the 3DuxDesign kit to design & construct a solar oven.
Explain what solar energy prior to this challenge. Use this link for reference.
Watch this National Geographic video to introduce the concept of solar cooking: Solar Cooking | National Geographic
Samples for better understanding:
The use of 3DuxDesign materials makes the engineering design process much easier due to the ues of the connectors. The connectors allow changes to the design to happen without destroying the project altogether.
Sample Explanation of how the solar oven works:
The tin foil on your solar oven reflects sunlight and the sun's heat into the box. The cling film seal creates a seal so that air can't escape. The sun's energy heats up the air inside the box and cooks the food. The black paper absorbs heat to make sure that as little as possible escapes. Newspaper insulates the box, preventing heat escaping.