Sixth-grade students at Pinkston Middle School recently put their science lessons into practice by building solar ovens from pizza boxes and using them to make s’mores. The Solar Oven Project engaged students through the process of researching how solar energy can transform into heat, designing functional ovens, and testing their creations.
Working in teams, the students took their homemade ovens outside to troubleshoot their designs. They adjusted their ovens as needed, aiming to successfully melt chocolate and assemble the classic treat.
The hands-on project was made possible with the support of a grant from the Mountain Home Education Foundation. Local businesses Papa John’s and Little Caesars donated the pizza boxes used as the base for the ovens.
School officials explained that the activity gave students a tangible understanding of how sunlight can be harnessed and turned into heat energy. Teachers noted that the engaging project offered a practical—and delicious—way to explore scientific concepts in a real-world context.