Energy Camp

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2024 Energy Camp Application

Applications open now until March 1.  Winners will be announced March 15.

By completing this application, you are signaling your agreement to the following statement:

I would like to qualify for the 2024 Energy Camp. I am an 8th grader and I understand the material I submit in this contest becomes the property of East Central Electric Cooperative for use at its discretion. I agree to abide by the rules of the contest and the judges.

 

Click Here to Complete Application

 

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Contest Submission Guidelines

 

The Challenge: Create a Homemade Solar Oven

The mission is to design and build a solar oven to cook S'mores simply using a cardboard box and a few extra materials.

Once the oven is built, place the S'more and a thermometer in the box and close it. Place the box in direct sunlight. (Please use oven mitts when moving the lid or removing items from the solar oven once exposed to the sun.)

 

Please use the following guidelines:

• Solar oven should not be larger than 16 in. by 16 in.
• In 10 minutes, the temperature inside the box should increase by 15 degrees.
• You may use any available materials to line the bottom and inside of the box.
• You must design a way to cook 2 s'mores without the food touching the bottom of the oven directly.
• You must cook the two s'mores at two different heights.

Document the following:

• The date and time of your experiment.
• The temperature and weather conditions on the day of your experiment.
• The starting temperature of your solar oven.
• The size of your oven.
• The materials used to make your oven.
• How did you keep the food from touching the bottom of the oven directly?
• The height of the food from the oven floor.
• Record the oven temperature at 20-minute intervals for 60 minutes.
• What was the highest temperature achieved during the experiment?
• Which height allows the food to cook at a faster rate?
• How long did it take for your s'mores to cook?
• Did both S’mores melt?
• What did you learn from this experience?

Submit your project as either:

• A written report detailing your project and including pictures.
• A 1–2-minute video detailing your project.

Eligibility:

• Currently enrolled in eighth grade
• Your school is located within ECE’s service territory.

You may use all available resources, including the internet, teachers, library, and family members.

If your video exceeds the size limit on the entry from, please submit as a private YouTube video.  Email the link to pkendrick@ecoec.com.