DIY solar cooker: Here’s how your kids can make it

In а country like ours where the temperature is generally sweltering in summers, we can think of so many projects using the sun’s energy to make something constructive. A DIY solar cooker can be an interesting project. Anyone above the age of 4 саn make it. Working on this project with your kids usually requires them to use both hands in a specific way, which can help them develop fine motor skills and bilateral coordination. Making a solar cooker will also help enhance STEM learning, critical thinking and much more. Help your child with this simple and fun solar cooker science project that requires only household items and а pizza box.

What you need 

• Cardboard pizza box 
• Pencil 
• Ruler 
• Box cutter or scissors 
• Aluminium foil 
• Clear tape 
• Black construction paper 
• Plastic wrap or large, transparent plastic bag 
• Newspapers 
• Oven glove 
• Dish or pie plate 
• Cooking Ingredients 

Step-by-step guide 

When we have the idea that we need to make a solar cooker, we automatically assume that the process will be time consuming. Also, how would a little child do what an engineer does?  But, in reality, the process of making a DIY solar cooker is fairly simple. Help your child follow this step-by-step guide. Remove any remaining cheese, sauce, or crumbs from your pizza box. 

• Draw a square one inch from the edge inside the box's lid with the ruler and pencil. 
• Cut out three of the square's four sides with a box cutter or knife. 
• To make a flap that stands up, make a crease along the uncut side of the square. 
• Cut a piece of aluminium foil large enough to cover the inner side of the cardboard flap. 
• Wrap the foil securely and tape it to keep it in place.  
• Use black construction paper to line the bottom of the pizza box.  
• Cut two pieces of plastic wrap that are the same size as the top of the pizza box. 
• Use tape to secure the plastic wrap to the inside edges of the square window you cut into the box. So, it’ll make your oven airtight. 
• Roll up some newspaper pages into tubes to stuff into the sides of the box.  Make sure you are still able to close the lid of the pizza box.   
• Now it is time to cook something! The best time to use your oven is between 11 AM and 2 PM. Make sure to set the food on a dish so you don’t mess up the interior of your oven. 

 
What all can be cooked in a solar cooker? 
Solar cooker can be used to prepare everything that  would normally prepare on a conventional stove or oven. Pulses, rice, kheer, khichri, vegetables, cereals, and other staples for our daily meal can be good options to start with. Non-vegetarian foods that are boiled or roasted, such as fish, chicken and other meat curries can also be made in a solar cooker. The amount of time it takes to cook depends on the type of food, the time of day, and the solar intensity.