Easiest Solar Oven Ever

When my 6 year old learned about solar energy and solar ovens in an astronomy class, he immediately wanted to make one. We searched for ideas and found out about one that can be made out of a pizza box and a few items we already had around the house. It was easy enough that my 6 year old made it almost completely by himself. (We did the initial cutting.) Would it work, though? It got warm enough inside to melt the cheese on mini-pizzas and to melt the chocolate for smores. That was good enough for him!

Time required: 20 minutes - When done by a child

Difficulty: easy

Cost: $0 (Free) - Using materials from around your home

Materials:

• 1 pizza box
• plastic wrap
• masking tape or duck tape
• scotch tape
• aluminum foil
• straw

Tools:

• Scissors, knife, or box cutter

Instructions:

1. Using scissors, a knife, or a box cutter, cut out 3 sides from the top of a pizza box to create a flap.

2. Lift open the lid of the pizza box and use masking tape or duck tape to tape plastic wrap across the opening of the flap. Close the lid and use scotch tape to attach aluminum foil to the top of the flap that opens. This will reflect the sunlight to create heat.

3. Lift the lid again and place a layer of aluminum foil and then black paper on the bottom of the pizza box (where the pizza would normally be. These will also conduct heat.

4. Find a tasty item you would like to place in your new solar oven. The favorite option in our house is smores.

5. Miniature pizzas will also work. This will create enough heat to melt the cheese.

6. Use a straw or stick to hold open the top flap.

7. Place the solar oven in a sunny location facing the sun. Wait 20-40 minutes (depending on the intensity of the sun) and then enjoy your newly cooked treat!