Find a container. You might use a shoebox, plastic bucket or jar, paper bag, milk carton, yogurt tub,
or cereal box. Avoid anything made of glass!
Think about what you've learned from studying solar ovens. Also,
review how the air inside a solar collector gets hot. Then use the questions below to
help you design your solar collector:
What transparent material will you use to let sunlight shine into your collector? Remember all of the sun's rays needs to shine through the material?
How will you measure the air temperature inside the collector? Remember you need to be able to take the thermometer out of the collector without tearing a hole in it, read it quickly, and put it back in place, or read the temperature while the thermometer is in place. (Cellophane tape can be used to plug holes around a thermometer opening.)
What can you use to line the inside surfaces of the collector? Remember you want the sides of the collector to absorb as much sunlight as possible.
What can you do to hold the heat inside the collector? Remember cold air can enter the collector through holes and warm air can escape through outside surfaces.
How will you point your collector to catch the sun's rays? Remember you want to catch as much sunshine as you can.
