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    Home » Primary Science » Key Stage 1 Science » How to Make a Solar Oven

    How to Make a Solar Oven

    May 29, 2021 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

    Do you know how to make a solar oven? I’ve always wanted to try one, so when the UK was unusually hot last summer we gave it a go. It was actually much easier than I expected and our marshmallows melted very quickly.

    solar oven in a garden

    If you fancy setting up a few garden activities on a sunny day another idea is to create a DIY sundial.

    What you need to make a solar oven

    • Cardboard box – like a pizza box
    • Aluminium foil
    • Matte black paper or card
    • Clingfilm
    • Food – not raw meat – we used marshmallows
    • Plate

    Labelled diagram of a solar oven for a summer STEM challenge

    How to make a solar oven

    Cover the inside of the box lid with foil and the bottom with matte black card.

    Place your food on a plate in the base of the box

    Position the box so it faces the sun, adjusting the lid so the light is reflected onto the food. Fix the lid at this position with tape, a tack or stick.

    Cover the food base with clingfilm to keep your food clean.

    Solar oven made in a pizza box with marshmallows covered in foil
    Marshmallows in a solar oven

    After about 30 minutes our marshmallows had melted enough to squish between some biscuits.

    S'more made in a solar oven
    Melted marshmallow between 2 biscuits

    How do Solar Ovens work?

    The matte black paper absorbs the heat while solar radiation from the sun is reflected from the aluminium foil onto the food.

    We tried a different activity with crayons and left one crayon in the sun on a shiny metal plate and one on a plastic plate. The crayon on the metal plate melted fastest. Why do you think this is?

    solar radiation experiment - melting crayons in the sun

    Extension Activities

    Does the food heat up faster if you use a matte black plate rather than a white plate? Why do you think this would be?

    What extra features could you add to your solar oven? How about a hinge mechanism?

    Science concepts

    • Heat transfer
    • Conduction
    • Radiation

    This activity is great for:

    Key stage 1 and 2 Design and Technology

    Improving skills, knowledge and understanding of an iterative design process.

    Design

    Allowing children to design a purposeful, functional and appealing product for themselves and others.

    Generating and developing ideas

    Make

    Selecting appropriate tools and equipment.

    Explore

    Exploring the best location and structure of the oven for it’s purpose.

    Testing their ideas.

    Using mechanisms such as hinges.

    Collage of solar oven images
    How to make a solar oven

    Once you’ve made a sundial, how about trying our Pick and Mix Summer Science Camp?

    Last Updated on June 20, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Becky

      November 29, 2014 at 1:03 pm

      oh that is cool! (or hot 🙂 )

      Reply
    2. Estella

      March 08, 2017 at 4:43 pm

      Sma-dckab what I was looking for-ty!

      Reply
    3. Anita

      August 13, 2018 at 8:53 pm

      Only marshmallows?!

      Reply

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