Maybe you remember the summer of 1980 in Oklahoma—sizzling temperatures, scorched sidewalks, and that unforgettable line from Harold Taft: “Hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.” Plenty of daring kids took him literally— and many parents are still scrubbing egg stains off the concrete to this day.
This year, skip the pavement experiments. Instead, put that same Oklahoma sun to better use—help kids learn science and make s’mores with a homemade solar oven. It’s clean, fun, and powered entirely by sunshine.
This week’s Summer Science project is a kid-friendly classic with a delicious payoff. Us- ing simple household materials, you can build your own solar oven to melt chocolate, toast marshmallows, and show young minds the power of renewable energy.
You’ll Need:
• 1 empty pizza box (or other shallow cardboard box with a lid)
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic wrap or a clear plastic sheet
• Black construction paper
• Tape and scissors
• Ruler or stick to prop the lid open
• S’mores fixings: graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate Instructions: Cut a flap in the lid of the pizza box, leaving at least a 1-inch border on three sides.
Wrap the underside of the flap with aluminum foil—this will reflect sunlight into the box.
Tape black construction paper to the bottom of the pizza box (inside). This will absorb heat.
Stretch plastic wrap or clear plastic across the opening you just cut. Tape it tightly. This layer acts like the glass in a greenhouse, trapping heat inside.
Place your s’mores inside the box: graham cracker, chocolate square, and marshmallow.
Close the lid gently, prop the foil flap open with a ruler or stick to catch the sun’s rays.
Aim your oven toward the sun and wait about 30–60 minutes. Keep checking— when the chocolate is soft and the marshmallow is gooey, it’s ready!
The Science Behind It: This is a mini greenhouse in action. The sun’s rays bounce off the foil and pass through the clear plastic, heating the air inside the box. The black paper absorbs the heat and warms up the space, slowly melting your treats. It’s the same principle that makes a car hot on a sunny day.
This project is a simple way to show how solar energy works—no wires, no batteries, just sunshine and science.
Safety Tips:
• Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors or working outdoors in high heat.
• Remind kids not to touch the inside of the box—it can get surprisingly warm.
• Keep your oven away from dry grass or anything flammable just in case.
