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Kings Glen Elementary School students transformed pizza boxes, aluminum foil and plastic wrap into working solar ovens during the school’s CodeUP Summer Program.
The hands-on program, highlighted July 17, 2025, combines technology, engineering and environmental science. Funding comes from a Department of Defense Education Activity grant.
Students used their homemade ovens to prepare nachos or mini pizzas with solar energy. Building the devices introduced concepts including heat transfer, insulation, light reflection and absorption.
The project also challenged students to solve problems, refine their designs and collect data with micro:bits. Those activities connected engineering lessons with renewable energy and sustainability.
CodeUP extended beyond the solar oven project. During nature walks, students used booklets to identify plants and animals, discussing unfamiliar species they encountered.
Campers also worked in groups, shared ideas and completed technology projects. Students earned badges recognizing skills and encouraging them to try different activities.
The program supports the school division’s 2023-30 strategic plan goal of providing equitable access to opportunity.