Five Easy Solar Power Experiments for Kids ( STEAM / STEM )

The next generation of renewable energy lies increasingly in research in one field – solar energy. Solar’s growth is unparalleled, providing broad career opportunities. We know that solar energy is an educational topic that students should be exposed to early on. So how can we introduce solar power to students early on?

Here are 5 solar power experiments you can try at home!

1. Solar Oven

Materials

• Pizza box {empty}
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic wrap
• Tape
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Paper Plate
• Food to cook
  

1. Cut a flap in the top of the pizza box leaving a 2″ border on the sides and front.   Wrap the bottom side of the flap and the interior of the pizza box with aluminum foil “shiny side out “ and tape in place.
2. Cover the opening created by the flap with plastic wrap and tape into place.
3. Place food to be cooked on a paper plate inside the solar oven.   Prop the flap open with a ruler in position to reflect the sun into the oven.
   
4. Let the sun bake the food.   Depending on the time of day, heat and other variables, it may take up to an hour.
   
5. Be careful removing food {it will be hot!} and then add crackers and chocolate for a yummy s'more.
   

2. Solar Updraft Tower

When placed in the sunlight, the heat from the sun will warm the air inside the cans, creating a convective updraft, and will spin the pinwheel.

1. Tape together three, large, empty, clean tin cans, with the tops and bottoms removed.
2. Create a wire arch (made from an unbent paper clip) and tape it across the opening of the top can.
3.Tape a thumbtack or straight pin to the center of the arch, pointing up.
4. Place the cans on top of a couple of books, to allow air to flow in from underneath. Make sure the books are separated and the can sits on them from two sides to allow airflow between the books.
5. Create and decorate a pinwheel: https://bit.ly/1C5tHTV
6. Balance the pinwheel on top of the thumbtack, taped side down.
7. When placed in the sunlight, the heat from the sun will warm the air inside the cans, creating a convective updraft, and will spin the pinwheel.

3. Water Desalination

You will need:

• Glass container
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 1 Cup of warm water
• Second smaller glass container shorter than the edge of the first container when it sits inside
• One or two rocks or several glass beads (We used 7).
• Plastic Wrap that will secure tightly around the containers
• Spoon
  

1. Have the children pour water into the larger container. 
2. Then, have them add the salt and stir. 
3.  Have a child place the smaller container inside the larger container in the center. 
4. Then, (adult job) tightly wrap the containers in plastic wrap. The wrap should not be touching the smaller container. 
5. Add the rocks or glass beads to the center of the container. 
6. Let it sit for two hours to several hours in the sun. The longer it sits, the more water will collect in the smaller container.  
7. Remove the plastic wrap. 
8. Have the children taste the water in both containers and compare the differences. Our water that collected did not taste salty whereas the water in the large container was very salty.  It was funny to see their expressions change as they tasted the two kinds of water.
   

4. Solar Heated Home Design (STEAM Experiment)

By making small homes out of cardboard boxes, a child can better understand energy use in a home and how the sun affects indoor temperatures.

1. To determine how windows, heat a home, a child makes a cardboard house with windows made of plastic, and another cardboard house without any windows and different types of insulation -- like aluminum foil, batting, and light and dark colors of fabric -- along the walls and ceilings.
   
2.  A thermometer inside the house shows her the temperature difference between the air inside and outside of the box. The thermometer tells you about the types of insulation that work best at heating the home and keeping it cool.
   

5. Sun Print Tote - (STEAM Activity)

1. Using acrylic paint, cover the surface of your fabric. I prefer to use watered down paint (or even dye). Thick layers of paint will not work for this technique. TIP- Use fabric paint or dye if you are creating washable fabric
2. Next, press flowers, leaves or just about anything onto the surface of the wet fabric.
3. Let everything sit in the sun for 1-2 hours or until dry. While it is drying the leaves will be absorbing the wet pigment.
   
4. Pull leaves from the fabric and you are left with a beautiful print.
   

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Looking for more ways to explore solar energy?

The solar4STEM family of products contain quick, convenient, and affordable supplements to fit perfectly into curriculum standards in a timely manner. With experiments already developed, our science kits remove the burden of lengthy after-hours setup, reinforcing a lesson plan for your needs.

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Sources:
1. https://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2014/05/sun-print-tote.html
2. https://education.seattlepi.com/easy-solar-energy-projects-kids-4527.html
3. http://capriplus3.com/2015/06/how-to-make-solar-still-desalination-kids.html
4. http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2015/04/simple-solar-thermal-projects-for-kids.html
5. https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/15594/solar-oven/

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solar4STEM designs solar powered science kits for students ages 8+. Learn about renewable energy, and electricity hands on with one of solar4STEM's three kits.

Author: Martin Stavro & Emma Moody