My Solar OvenBy Nathan Varnell

Objective and Hypothesis

My objective was to see if I could cook S’mores using a solar oven to harness the Sun’s energy.

My hypothesis was “I can cook with a solar oven as long as the necessary conditions exist”.

What I Used

In this project the materials that I

used were: a recycled pizza box, black construction paper, aluminum foil, heavy plastic laminate, non-toxic glue, tape, scissors, a ruler, a black marker, and two straws.

What I Did To make my solar oven I first

measured and drew out a one-inch border on the top of the pizza box. Next, I created a flap by cutting along three of the sides that I had drawn, leaving one of them uncut. I then folded the uncut side back, and glued aluminum foil onto it.

What I Did [continued] After I put on the foil, I took the

laminate and tightly sealed it onto the opening that I made, creating an oven window. Next, I lined the bottom of the pizza box with aluminum foil, then carefully placed and glued a sheet of black construction paper onto the foil.

What I Did [continued]

I carefully put two S’mores in the oven and placed it outside with the flap angled towards the sun.

Finishing Touches. . .

Finally, I took two straws and used black duct tape to secure them as props to keep the oven flap open, helping to direct sunlight into the oven. I left the oven outside for about an hour or two, occasionally checking on the progress.

Conclusion- Objective: To cook S’mores with a solar oven.

- I did not completely achieve this. It only made the marshmallows stick to the chocolate as they both softened slightly from the heat in the oven.

- Reasons it did not completely work for me: - Cooler outdoor temperatures, lack of direct sunlight, plastic laminate might have

been too thick, and I might not have had the oven at the proper angle to reflect the sun’s rays into the oven. Also, heat may have escaped from certain parts of the oven.

- Hypothesis answer: - I believe that my hypothesis could still be correct as long as the conditions

needed for success existed.

- The things that I would change are: - A) Conducting this experiment when there is more direct sunlight.- B) Conducting this experiment in warmer outdoor conditions.- C) Finding a thinner plastic laminate.- D) Finding a better angle towards the sun.- E) Taping up the edges of the pizza box to keep heat from escaping.