Build a Solar Oven
GRADES 3-5

Build a Solar Oven

Driving Question:

How can we use sunlight to create heat?

Activity Overview:

In this lesson, students explore how sunlight creates heat energy and investigate which materials reflect or absorb it best. They learn how reflection, absorption, and insulation work together, then put it to the test: students will design and build a cardboard solar oven using the ChompSaw, load it with s'mores or crayons, and record what happens. What can the sun actually cook?

Vocabulary
Assessment

Learning Objectives

  • I can explain how sunlight transfers heat energy.
  • I can build a solar oven using cardboard.
  • I can test how well my solar oven traps heat.
  • I can improve my design based on test results.

Slide Deck

Download

Full Materials List

Lesson Plan

Lesson Slides

Vocabulary Slides for frontloading

Recording Sheet (Thermometers)

1 per student

Recording Sheet (No Thermometers)

1 per student

Reflection

1 per classroom

Assessment

1 per student

Chompsaw(s)

1 per 5 students

Solar Oven Pattern

1 per 5 students

Cardboard

1 sheet per group

Tape, glue

1 per group

Scissors

1 per student

Aluminum Foil

1 roll per classroom

Clear Plastic Wrap

1 roll per classroom

Black Construction Paper or Black Marker

1 per group

Crayons or S'mores Materials

1 per student

Timer

1 per group

Thermometer (optional)

1 per group

Preview/Background Knowledge

  • Students should have a basic understanding of sunlight as a source of light and heat
  • Students should have an introductory understanding of energy as something that can cause change (e.g. heat melts ice)
  • Students should be familiar with the concept of temperature and how it can be measured
Prep Instructions

1. Choose Your Solar Oven Challenge

Decide which version of the lesson your students will complete:

  •  S'more Solar Oven
  • Crayon Melting Solar Oven

The slide deck includes both options. Before presenting:

  •  Make a copy of the slide deck.
  •  Delete all slides for the project you are not using.
  •  Check the lesson plan for reminders about which slides should be removed.

2. Prepare Student Groups

Divide students into groups of 4–5 students. Each group will build one solar oven together.

3. Print Student Materials

Print the following materials before class:

  • Solar Oven Template (1 per group)
  • Testing Recording Sheet (1 per student)
        • Thermometer version or
         • No-thermometer version 
  • Reflection Sheet (1 per student)
  • Assessment (1 per student)

4. Gather Build Materials

For each group, prepare: 

  • 3 large pieces of cardboard
  • 1 ChompSaw
  • Tape
  • Glue stick
  • 3 pairs of scissors
  • Aluminum foil
  • Clear plastic wrap
  • Black construction paper or black marker
  • Timer or stopwatch
  • Thermometers (optional)

Depending on the challenge selected:

S'more Version

  • 2 graham crackers
  • ½ chocolate bar
  • 1 marshmallow

Crayon Version

  • Small glass dish
  • Broken/unwrapped crayons

5. Check Technology

  • Open the slide deck and test all animations.
  • Confirm internet access if needed.
  • Verify that the ChompShop Solar Oven construction video plays correctly.
  • Make sure speakers and projection equipment are working.

6. Scout your outdoor spot

The testing phase requires a sunny spot with no shade. Make sure there's space for all groups!

7. Review the Lesson Timing

The testing portion requires approximately 35–40 minutes, so students can observe changes over time.

If your schedule does not allow for a full testing period:

  • Build the ovens during one class period.
  •  Complete testing during a later class period when students can observe results for a longer time.

This often produces stronger results because students have more time to collect observations and discuss what happened.

Helpful teacher tip: The success of the lesson depends heavily on sunlight and time. If possible, choose a sunny day and allow students the full testing window. The longer students can observe their ovens in direct sunlight, the easier it will be for them to see the effects of heat transfer, reflection, absorption, and insulation.

Extensions

Extreme Weather Challenge

  • Students redesign their solar oven to work better in a specific weather condition.
    • Challenge Cards
      • Cloudy Day Challenge
      • Windy Day Challenge
      • Rainy Climate Challenge
      • Desert Challenge
    • Students must:
      • identify what makes their condition difficult for solar cooking
      • explain what changes they made to their design and why
      • present their redesign to the class

Solar Oven Olympics

  • Students redesign their ovens and compete across different categories.
    • Competition Categories
      • Fastest Heating Design
      • Most Creative Design
      • Most Reflective Design
      • Most Compact Design
      • Best Teamwork

Design a Solar-Powered Invention

  • Students invent a new device that uses sunlight as its power source.
    • Example Inventions
      • Solar pet house
      • Solar backpack charger
      • Solar toy
      • Solar greenhouse
      • Solar paddle boat
    • Students must:
      • sketch and label their invention
      • explain how it uses solar energy

Invent a Heat-Trapping Challenge

  • Students create their own engineering challenge for another group to solve.
    • Example Challenge
      • Build a solar oven that could keep a cup of water warm.
    • Students must:
      • write a clear challenge prompt
      • swap challenges with another group
      • propose a solution to the challenge they received