Cooking with Solar Energy – Year 5s Pizza Oven Project
Year 5 Students Cook Up Creativity with Solar EnergyÂ
Our Year 5 students have been busy this term with a unique and delicious challenge – building their very own solar ovens to cook a mini pizza! This hands-on technology project has been an exciting opportunity for the students to dive into the world of solar thermal energy, combining creativity with real-world problem-solving.
Exploring the Science Behind Solar Cooking
The journey began with the students exploring different materials and their properties to figure out which ones would work best for conducting and retaining solar energy. They looked at heat absorption, insulation, and reflection, learning how these factors come together to create an efficient solar oven.
From Sketches to Solar Ovens
With their research complete, the students got to work designing their ovens, thinking carefully about how each material and feature would help cook their pizzas. The designs were different, with each student bringing their creative ideas to the table.
Once the designs were finalised, it was time to build. Students cut, glued, and assembled their creations. Cardboard boxes became oven bases; cling wrap became “glass” windows and shiny foil turned into reflective panels.
Â
Testing Day – Did It Work?
The big moment came when it was time to test their ovens. Taking their creations outside, the students used an infrared thermometer to determine how hot their ovens were and whether they needed to make any adjustments before the final test – cooking the pizza. The students placed their mini pizzas inside and watched the sun do its magic.Â
Lindsey Fitzgerald, a Year 5 Teacher, shared, “The highlight for me was the high level of engagement and deep learning that took place. And, of course, their happy faces when they were eating their Pizza in the Sun cooked in their unique ovens.”
From the Students
We really liked cooking the pizzas, seeing how everyone’s pizzas cooked at different rates and evaluating which designs worked best. However, the amount of time it took to create the oven was challenging. We had to work well as a team to get things done. Imogen
It was challenging making the box form scratch and glueing it together. Collaborating at times was a bit tricky as we had to agree on things together. But the group aspect was really enjoyable. EmilyÂ
We are so proud of our Year 5 students for embracing this challenge with such enthusiasm. They have shown just how innovative and capable they are and proved that science can be both practical and delicious!
- Featured, Hands-onLearning, SolarCooking, SolarEnergy, STEMEducation, TechnologyProjects, Year5Students
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
Term 4 Highlights – Capping Off A Fabulous Year – Jennifer Oaten
Weekly Wrap Up – Week 8, Term 4 2024
