Museum of Science and Industry

Cook Food Using the Sun

Absorb heat energy to create a solar oven.

• View Activity

Lesson at a glance

Students Will Know:
Energy transformation - Energy is neither created nor destroyed. The amount of energy in the universe remains the same; when we use energy, we do not "use it up" but rather transform it from one form of energy into another form.
Solar radiation - Heat energy produced from the sun.

Students Will Be Able To:
Create a solar oven to cook and heat food.

Illinois Learning Standards

Late Elementary
State Goal 11: 11.A.2a, 11.A.2b, 11.A.2c; 11.A.2d
State Goal 12: 12.C.2a
Middle/Junior High School
State Goal 11: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3b; 11.A.3c
State Goal 12: 12.C.3a

Background information

Almost all of the energy that reaches the earth comes from the sun. Some is intercepted by the atmosphere and some is reflected back to space, but most of the radiation is absorbed by the surface of the earth.

At the earth's surface, incoming energy from the sun that is absorbed by the land, water and atmosphere is converted into measurable heat. This heat creates winds and currents in our atmosphere and oceans. The sun's energy also keeps the earth at a temperature that supports life. This energy can be focused to create a solar oven.