In the beginning of the design process, since our goal was to make a solar cookie maker, Sienna and I decided to take inspiration from the plan of the solar cooker on Ms. Beatty’s Ideas Padlet. We got inspired by the models provided, and decided to create the “base” of the oven using cardboard box, cover it with insulation material to keep heat inside, and cover the inside of the oven with aluminum foil, which would maximize the amount of heat created due to reflection of light. Lastly, we decided to add some solar panels so that the temperature would be hot enough that it can “bake” cookies. However, before Test 1, we decided to see what temperature the oven can reach on its own without solar panels. Nevertheless, that day was windy and had no sun, so the temperature dropped. After realizing that there is not enough energy, we added solar panels on, we conducted Test 2. On that day, it was sunny but windy, so the heat collected by solar panels and aluminum foil was blown away. We concluded that there is too much open space, thus limiting the temperature increase. We decided to solve this problem by wrapping plastic wrap on our design. We chose this material because it can limit open space (keeping the heat in) but it also allow most of the sunlight to reach aluminum foil and solar panels. Finally, on Test 3, the temperature rose by about 7 degrees celsius.

Even with our finished product/prototype, there are several areas for further improvement. First, since the base is made out of cardboard, there is a certain possibility that if our design was used during summer, it might catch on fire. Second, our product is very light, so it will be easily blown away on windy days. Third, our product is quite big and its size and shape is solidified, meaning that it will be hard to carry around. However, there are also strengths to our product. First of all, our product works; it can heat up. Second, our product is good for the environment; it uses cardboard which is recyclable, and is heated through using solar energy collected using solar panels and using angles and geometry. Finally, our product has good design; it is very shiny and shimmery which is pretty. In addition, our device also fits the design specifications. This is because our product is targeted to people who wants to make cookies without an oven, it is also pretty, it is environmentally friendly, and it works.

The most challenging part of the process would be conducting the tests to see if it works, and if it doesn’t work, how to alter it. This is because we had to be creative in order to come up with solutions of our problems and had to analyze our prototype to see what caused the prototype to fail. The part which I am most proud of is the final test, where our prototype/product worked.