Heat-Busters: Design Your Own Solar Oven!

6th Grade Project 2 weeks

Heat-Busters: Design Your Own Solar Oven!

Ian M

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Purpose

Explore how heat moves and how we can control it by designing a device that manages heat transfer. Use your creativity and scientific skills to build a solar oven and see how well it can cook a treat using the sun's energy. Collect data, take photos, and share your findings in a slideshow to show what you learned about thermal energy.

Learning goals

Develop an understanding of how thermal energy is transferred and the role of different materials in conducting or insulating heat. Gain experience in planning and carrying out scientific investigations to gather evidence and support design solutions. Enhance skills in designing and constructing a functional device, such as a solar oven, to control heat transfer. Improve ability to communicate findings through a digital slideshow presentation, showcasing the design process, testing data, and conclusions.

Standards

NGSS - MS-PS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.
NGSS - MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.

Products

Design and construct a solar oven using materials like cardboard, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. Test the oven by cooking a small item, such as a marshmallow or piece of chocolate, to observe its effectiveness in controlling heat transfer. Create a digital slideshow showcasing photos of your device, data from testing, and a summary of your findings.

Launch

Begin by watching a short video about how thermal energy transfer affects everyday objects, like cooking with a solar oven. Then, conduct a simple demonstration using a metal spoon and a plastic spoon in hot water to observe heat conduction. Discuss your observations and brainstorm ideas on how different materials can either trap or release heat. This will spark curiosity and set the stage for designing your own device to control heat transfer.

Exhibition

Invite classmates, teachers, and family members to a "Solar Oven Showcase" where you present your solar oven designs and demonstrate their functionality by cooking a small item. Set up stations where each participant can explain their design process, share their digital slideshow, and discuss the data collected during testing. Encourage visitors to ask questions and provide feedback on the effectiveness and creativity of each oven.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Introduction to Thermal Energy - Begin by watching a short video about how thermal energy transfer affects everyday objects like cooking with a solar oven, and discuss initial thoughts (15 min) Heat Conduction Experiment - Conduct a simple demonstration using a metal spoon and a plastic spoon in hot water to observe heat conduction and discuss observations (20 min) Brainstorming Session - Participate in a group discussion to brainstorm ideas on how different materials can trap or release heat, setting the stage for designing a device (10 min)	Exploring Materials - Explore different materials by testing their conductivity and insulation properties using small heat sources and thermometers, recording observations (25 min) Design Planning - Begin planning the design of a solar oven by sketching ideas and selecting materials such as cardboard, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap (20 min)	Building the Solar Oven - Start constructing the solar oven according to the design plan, focusing on the assembly of the cardboard structure and lining with aluminum foil (30 min) Reflection and Adjustments - Reflect on the building process, discuss any challenges faced, and make necessary adjustments to the design plan (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed design plan and sketches for solar oven. 2. Photos of initial construction stages of your solar oven.
Preparation	1. Gather materials: cardboard, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, scissors, tape. 2. Set up viewing access for the thermal energy video. 3. Prepare hot water and spoons for the conduction experiment. 4. Organize space for construction with tables and crafting tools. 5. Create a digital template for the slideshow to be used later.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Analyze Test Results - Review the data collected from your solar oven tests, looking for patterns or anomalies to determine the effectiveness of your design (20 min) Redesign and Improve - Based on your analysis, brainstorm and make modifications to your solar oven to enhance its heat control capabilities (25 min)	Re-test Improved Design - Conduct another round of testing with your improved solar oven, recording data to compare with initial results (25 min) Data Comparison - Create a chart or graph to visually compare initial and improved test results, highlighting any improvements or remaining challenges (20 min)	Digital Slideshow Creation - Compile your photos, data, and findings into a digital slideshow, ensuring it tells the story of your design process and learning journey (30 min) Rehearse Presentation - Practice presenting your slideshow, focusing on clear communication and how you'll explain your design and findings to the audience (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete the construction of the solar oven using cardboard, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. 2. Conduct at least two test trials of your solar oven to cook a small item, such as a marshmallow or piece of chocolate, and record the data. 3. Create a digital slideshow including photos of your solar oven at different stages, data collected during testing, and a summary of your findings. 4. Prepare and practice a presentation for the 'Solar Oven Showcase' exhibition, explaining your design process, the effectiveness of your oven, and key learnings.
Preparation	1. Gather additional materials if needed for solar oven construction, such as extra foil or tape. 2. Ensure access to a digital device with presentation software for creating the slideshow. 3. Prepare a space, indoors or outdoors, where you can safely test the solar oven using sunlight. 4. Organize a method for recording data, such as a data sheet or digital document, to track cooking times and temperatures. 5. Arrange the classroom or exhibition space for the 'Solar Oven Showcase' with stations for each participant to display their project.