Blair’s Sixth Grade Science Class Create and Test its Solar Ovens

Article and Photos courtesy of BLAIR HIGH and MIDDLE SCHOOL JANUARY 8, 2020

This afternoon Blair High School Ms. Manzanares’ sixth grade science class built and tested their revised solar ovens. They used mirrors, foils, black paper, black plastic, and other materials to absorb and/or reflect thermal energy. Some solar ovens did better than others in melting their chocolate and marshmallows to make s’mores. One of several takeaways – black plastic works better than black paper!

The design, construction and testing of solar ovens is an engineering project that integrate materials science with mechanical engineering by using heat transfer mechanisms. Solar ovens are in use worldwide, providing fuel-free and smoke-free cooking, baking and water decontamination especially helpful in remote and poor regions.