What does an umbrella, inner tube and mylar blanket have in common? They are all components of innovative solar cooker designs.
Seventeen teachers came to the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa this past Saturday, from as far away as Sarasota and Port St. Lucie, to learn how to build solar cookers.
Working in teams, the teachers constructed five different solar cookers. Each design used common household items in creative ways, including an umbrella, inner tube, and plant stand, to name just a few. Armed with new information, strategies and inspiration, these teachers will work with their students to build a variety of solar cookers. The student-designed and built cookers will be on display at the Bright House Solar Energy Cook-off at FSEC’s EnergyWhiz Olympics on May 9. In Top Chef style, student teams will also submit a food cooked in their solar cooker to be judged by a panel of experts.
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