DIY Solar Powered Projects

Solar energy isn't just for producing electricity. With a little science, you can use the sun to purify water and cook food. Projects like these teach children about the world around them and exercise their creativity. These kinds of projects also make educational and entertaining activities for warm weekends and summer camping trips.

Solar Water Still

• 1

  Place a glass jar in the center of a large plastic bowl. The rim of the jar should sit lower than the rim of the bowl.

• 2

  Pour some dirty water into the bowl, making sure not to get any in the jar. You can collect water from a mud puddle or make some by mixing a little soil and salt into some tap water.

• 3

  Stretch a piece of clear plastic wrap tightly over the bowl. Secure it around the edges with duct tape.

• 4

  Place a small rock in the center of the plastic wrap right over the mouth of the jar. Press down lightly to make a dip in the wrap.

• 5

  Place the bowl in a very sunny spot. Check on the bowl after 2 or 3 hours. The jar should have clean water in it and the salt and dirt should remain in the bowl. Do not drink the water if it came from a mud puddle. It may contain bacteria.

Solar Oven

• 1

  Clean and dust out a cardboard box with flaps around the top edge. The flaps will act as extra solar receptors for your solar oven.

• 2

  Spray the inside of the box with spray adhesive. Press and smooth aluminum foil over the glue, making sure the shiny side faces out. Let the glue dry for 1 hour.

• 3

  Spray the flaps of the box with spray adhesive. Spread aluminum foil over them as well. Position the flaps so they stick up from the box at a 45 degree angle. If you glue on the foil while they're angled this way, they should stay in this position.

• 4

  Stick four toothpicks into a hot dog so the hot dog stands up on "legs." Place it in the solar oven and place the oven in the sun. After about 30 minutes, the hot dog should be cooked and ready to eat.