Who needs a barbecue grill to cook hot dogs when you have the amazing power of the sun at your disposal? Engage young scientists in learning about solar energy with this fun activity that turns a used Pringles can into a solar powered hot dog cooker.

Concepts

radiant energy, energy, solar energy, thermal energy, heat

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Additional Tags

solar energy, solar cooker, thermal energy, radiant energy, heat, science

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Instructional Ideas

• Supplement this activity into a lesson series on solar energy in the upper-elementary and middle school grade levels
• If available, consider placing a thermometer inside the cookers so students can measure and record the temperature change that occurs
• Encourage children to make modifications to improve the efficiency of the cookers

Classroom Considerations

• Depending on the number of available Pringles cans, consider having students work in pairs or small groups creating the solar cookers
• Send home a note to parents asking for help gathering Pringles cans and other necessary materials

Pros

• A list of easy-to-follow directions and illustrations are provided for creating the solar cooker
• Activity involves the use of common, inexpensive materials

Cons

• None