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Environmental Science

Can you finish sun-powered cooking experience in about 45 min?

Sun-Powered Cooking Experience

You will this activity teaches children about renewable energy by converting sunlight into heat.

Duration45 min
Age GroupAges 12–13
DifficultyIntermediate
SubjectEnvironmental Science
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Concept

What this lesson teaches

This activity teaches children about renewable energy by converting sunlight into heat. By building a solar oven, kids experience firsthand how solar energy can be harnessed for cooking, making the concept of renewable resources tangible.

Materials

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    Steps

    How the activity runs

      Why It Works

      The learning connection

      Constructing the solar oven employs embodied cognition, where children physically manipulate materials to create a functional device. They engage with the principles of energy transformation in a playful context, reinforcing their understanding of renewable energy through real-world application.

      Extend the Lesson

      Try it with your learner

      1. Gather a cardboard box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and a small black container. 2. Line the inside of the box with aluminum foil, shiny side up, to reflect sunlight. 3. Place the black container inside the box and cover the top of the box with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect. 4. Position the box in direct sunlight at an angle. 5. Wait for about 30-60 minutes, checking the temperature of the container. 6. What did you cook, and how well did it turn out?

      Environmental Science45 minAges 12–13Grade 7Sign in to save this activity
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