Solar Sizzle: Cook with the Sun!

6th Grade

Project
2 weeks

Solar Sizzle: Cook with the Sun!

Angel B

Purpose

This project aims to deepen your understanding of thermal energy transfer by designing and building a solar oven. You'll apply scientific principles such as conduction, convection, and radiation to create a device that maximizes solar energy for cooking. Through hands-on experimentation and investigation, you'll develop skills in planning and carrying out scientific inquiries, while also enhancing your ability to communicate findings through a video presentation.

Learning goals

In this project, you will learn how to apply scientific principles to design and test a device that controls thermal energy transfer. You will explore the concepts of conduction, convection, and radiation, and understand how they affect heat transfer. You will develop skills in planning and carrying out investigations, providing evidence to support your explanations and design solutions. Through hands-on experimentation, you will gain insights into the efficiency of solar ovens and the factors that influence thermal energy maximization.

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-PS1-6: Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processes.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3: Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.

Products

Design and build a solar oven using everyday materials to demonstrate how thermal energy can be maximized through solar radiation. Conduct experiments to test its efficiency in cooking different foods. Create a video presentation explaining your design process, the scientific principles applied, and the results of your testing phase.

Launch

Begin your project by watching a short video that demonstrates various solar ovens in action. Discuss with your peers how each design maximizes thermal energy transfer. Then, brainstorm everyday materials you could use to build your own solar oven. Finally, conduct a simple experiment to observe the effects of sunlight on temperature using thermometers and different colored papers, noting which colors absorb more heat.

Exhibition

Organize a science fair where you showcase your solar oven designs and present your video presentations to classmates, teachers, and family members. Facilitate a gallery walk where you can view and provide feedback on each other's projects, focusing on the design process and scientific principles applied. Engage visitors by demonstrating the cooking capabilities of your solar ovens, allowing them to taste-test the food prepared. Create informative posters or digital slideshows to accompany your displays, highlighting key findings and the efficiency of your designs. Include a Q&A session where you can answer questions and discuss the challenges and successes encountered during the project.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Launch and Introduction - Watch a short video demonstrating solar ovens, discuss with peers how designs maximize thermal energy, and brainstorm materials for your own solar oven. (20 min) Initial Experiment - Conduct a simple experiment with thermometers and different colored papers to observe the effects of sunlight on temperature and note which colors absorb more heat. (25 min)	Principles of Heat Transfer - Explore and discuss the concepts of conduction, convection, and radiation, creating small models or simulations to demonstrate these principles. (30 min) Design Planning - Begin sketching initial designs for your solar oven, considering how to incorporate heat transfer principles to maximize solar energy. (15 min)	Material Selection - Select and gather everyday materials for constructing your solar oven, considering factors like heat absorption and insulation. (20 min) Construction Phase - Start building the frame of your solar oven based on your design sketches, ensuring structural stability to support further modifications. (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Initial Design Sketches: Create detailed sketches of your solar oven design, highlighting the materials to be used and the scientific principles applied (conduction, convection, radiation) to maximize thermal energy transfer.
Preparation	1. Prepare a list of everyday materials available for constructing solar ovens, including cardboard, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, glass jars, and black construction paper. 2. Gather resources such as thermometers and colored papers for experimentation. 3. Set up a classroom space for watching videos and conducting discussions. 4. Ensure access to interactive simulations or models to demonstrate heat transfer principles.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Final Construction and Testing - Complete the assembly of your solar oven and conduct initial tests to evaluate its effectiveness in capturing and utilizing solar energy. (30 min) Data Collection - Record temperature changes and cooking times during your tests, analyzing how your design choices impact performance. (15 min)	Design Iteration - Review test results and make necessary modifications to improve your solar oven's efficiency based on the data collected. (20 min) Re-testing and Optimization - Conduct follow-up tests to assess improvements and finalize your design modifications. (25 min)	Video Presentation Preparation - Create a storyboard and script for your video presentation, outlining the design process, applied scientific principles, and test results. (20 min) Presentation Recording - Record your video presentation, ensuring clear communication of your project's key aspects and findings. (25 min)
Deliverables	1. A refined and tested solar oven that demonstrates maximum thermal energy transfer. 2. A video presentation explaining your solar oven design process, the scientific principles applied, and the results of your testing phase. 3. Informative posters or digital slideshows for the science fair exhibition.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for refining the solar oven, such as additional reflectors, insulation materials, and tools for cutting and assembling. 2. Access to a video recording device and editing software to create your video presentation. 3. Materials for creating posters or digital slideshows, such as poster boards, markers, or access to a computer and presentation software. 4. Set up a schedule for the science fair exhibition, including time slots for presentations and Q&A sessions.