Solar Oven STEM Challenge

lesson overview

This engaging STEM challenge is a fun way to learn about pioneering women in history and incorporate the engineering design process into your classroom or afterschool program! Students use the engineering design process and ways to harness the sun's energy by constructing a solar oven to heat s'mores! This challenge also highlights Maria Telkes, the inventor of the first system to heat a home with solar power. History, science, engineering, technology(optional), and math-- it is all included along with teacher instructions and student handouts. 


This hands-on activity is an engaging design challenge that allows students to work in teams, apply the engineering design process, and connect math topics to real-world applications. As a student-driven assignment, the purpose of the teacher is to act as a facilitator. You will provide the structure to the project, but students will take an active role in designing and building a bridge to hold a cup of pennies. Our students have loved this activity, and we know yours will too! 

This packet includes:
- Detailed teachers guide with links to resources
- Historical profile of Maria Telkes
- Science Handouts on Solar Energy and Heat Transfer
- Student handouts to guide them through the design process
- Student recording sheet for each step of the process
- Grading Rubric
- Math connection problems including ratios, percentages, measurements, area, and volume

Materials:
Recommended per team

• 2 sets of s’mores ingredients (marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate)

• Black paper

• Stiff paper, cardboard, cereal or pizza boxes (enough to build a box as the oven)

• 4 Plastic straws or wooden skewers

• Foil sheets

• Plastic wrap or gallon ziploc baggies (for window(s))

• Roll Scotch tape (or masking tape)

• Glue stick

• Scissors

• Tape Measure/ruler

Other Materials (Optional):

• Newspapers

• Toothpicks 

• Popsicle sticks (thick and thin)

• Index cards

• Different colors of construction paper