Publisher: Scholastic Book Services
Copyright: 1971
Pages: 96
This is a book I've had in my collection for quite a few decades, and really enjoyed making these when I was young. It was originally published under the title "Fun With the Sun". The projects in it are quite suitable for students of any age, but some might be best if they were attempted by those in the higher grades as working with tools in necessary in some cases.
The book gives a general overview of why we should consider using solar energy, and then goes on to give plans and directions for seven projects:
- A Reflector Cooker: Suitable for any grade, but the younger ones may need assistance even though it is made with cardboard. A handy junior of high school student could easily adapt the plans to use other more durable materials.
- A Solar Still: Which can be used to purify water. This project would likely be best suited for someone in junior high or high school as it involves working with wood, metal, and glass.
- A Solar Furnace: This is another project that would be suitable for the higher grades as it involves wood work, and when completed could be dangerous to use by a young person as the unit uses a fresnel lens to focus the suns rays on a target.
- A Solar Oven: This project is definitely more geared towards high school aged students as it involves sheet metal work. The end product is a functioning oven that could easily be used to bake with.
- A Solar Water Heater: This could be a project for junior high school students and higher, and the end product would be a very useful addition to any camping expedition. It wouldn't be able to be carried in a backpack without redesign, but if you are travelling vehicle then hot showers might be the result.
- Solar Motors: While it is possible to simply buy a kit to construct a solar motor at most large hobby shops, this project gives you the ability to make one from basic components. It would be more suitable for a high school project as depending on your source of materials soldering may be required.
- A Sun-Powered Radio: This project is definitely more suited to high school as it takes the builder from the basics to the end product. Construction involves use of power tools such as a drill, soldering connections etc.
Have fun building these projects.
