Designing and building a solar cooker

Year level: Middle Primary/Lower Secondary Learning outcome Students investigate solar energy and then design, build and test a solar cooker. Preparation • Access to computers and The Le@rning Federation digital content • Foil, bottles, cardboard or sticks to create frame • Craft knife, thermometer, clock • Metal and glass cooking pots • Items for cooking (eg small cakes, pikelets, eggs) • A sunny day! Use L1140 Energy from the Sun: design a solar cooker Curriculum Corporation, 2007. The Le@rning Federation digital content For information about how to access this Learning Object http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/access_information/access_information.html Record your learning about shape, direction and the surfaces of the solar cooker. Examine this photo and describe how effective the solar cooker would be based on your findings from above. A woman in Daga village, Tibet, using a solar cooker. Peter Davis/AusAID Examine other solar cookers at http://solarcooking.org/plans/ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKdpTz2pSTg Describe what factors would need to be considered to make it effective for cooking in your area. Use your learning to design, build and test your own solar cooker. Measure and record the temperature inside the cooker at different times during the day. Investigate the affect of the following on the efficiency of your solar cooker a) Sun’s angle b) Cloud cover c) Wind d) Cooker’s orientation to the sun e) Cooker’s size f) Size and colour of cooking pots and pans g) Food piece size and quantity h) Water content of food i) Air temperature Choose a cooking project for your solar cooker. (A simple cake mix is ideal) Assessment task Create a report which gives: A labelled diagram of your design along with measurements and a statement detailing why you have decided on the shape, size, direction and surfaces for your cooker A report on testing procedures and the results you gained A comment on why you think your design is a good one. A discussion about the positive and negatives for using solar cookers Extension Try The Le@rning Federation’s other activities using solar energy: L848 Energy from the Sun: design a solar cooker and start cooking L1141 Energy from the Sun: design a solar oven L1142 Energy from the Sun: design a solar oven and start cooking L956 Energy from the Sun (combination of all the above)