1. Using Renewable Energy from the Sun
SOLAR OVEN LAB
Using Renewable Energy from the Sun

2. Where did the idea come from?
Archimedes, an ancient Greek mathematician, invented a device that was used to focus sunlight onto approaching enemy ships, causing them to catch fire.

3. Archimedes Heat Ray

4. Day 1 – Planning
We will construct a solar oven in order to cook s’mores while using our knowledge of conduction, convection, radiation, solar energy, insulators, conductors, and the scientific method.
YUMMY!

5. Choose your variable
Based on our investigations this week, choose a variable that your group would like to change in the design of the second solar oven to compare with the control oven.
Your team must decide what will cook your s’mores the best.
Each team must select only 1 variable.

6. Variables: Select ONE Controls
Black construction paper for bottom of oven
Shiny side of aluminum foil for top of oven
Rolled newspaper for insulation
Clear plastic wrap for cover of oven
Pizza box
Variables
White construction paper for bottom of oven
Dull side of aluminum foil for top of oven
Shredded newspaper for insulation
Wax paper for cover of oven
Shoe box

7. Hypothesis
Hypothesis: What you think will happen and why with evidence of research Example: If the insulator/conductor is tested, then the _________________ (insert control variable here) will conduct more heat than __________________ (insert changed variable here).

8. Suggested Materials 10” pizza boxes or shoe boxes, 2 per table group
Black or white construction paper
newspaper
plastic food wrap or wax paper
aluminum foil
clear tape
Scissors
Thermometer
**Remember: both solar ovens have to be exactly the same except for the vairable you are changing.

9. Day 2 - Building
Start with 10” pizza box with three sides of the square top already cut, and fold the flap back along the uncut edge.
Cover the inside of this flap with aluminum foil, using tape to hold the edges securely.
Line the inside bottom of the box with black construction paper. Use tape to hold the edges down.
Create insulation by rolling up some newspaper (about 1 ½ inch thick) and fitting it around the inside edges of the box.
Tape one piece of plastic wrap (stretched tightly) to the underside of the lid opening, to cover. Tape another piece on the top of the lid opening, to create a layer of insulation that will help hold the heat in the box.
Repeat process changing one variable in the oven design.
Prop the box at a 60 °angle facing the sun using your protractor to measure. Tape to hold at that angle using a piece of newspaper (outside, tomorrow).

10. Variable Solar Oven
Repeat the directions for the Control Solar Oven changing only one of the variables:
White construction instead of black construction paper for bottom of oven or
Dull side of aluminum foil instead of shiny side for top of oven or
Shredded newspaper instead of rolled newspaper for insulation or
Wax paper instead of clear plastic wrap for cover of oven
Why do we change only one variable?

12. Completed Oven

13. Cooking, Eating, and Concluding!
Solar Oven Lab
Cooking, Eating, and Concluding!

14. Your 2 Solar Ovens are now complete!
Your control oven made exactly according to the directions
Your variable oven with only one variable changed.
CONTROL
VARIABLE

15. Conducting your experiment
Place your ovens side by side outside facing the sun.
We will cook our s’mores for 20 minutes.
Record the temperature every 5 minutes (Use the data table to record the temperature.)
Make a line graph using the date you collected.
Analyze the data: based on the temperatures collected, was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not?