Protecting My Skin- SunSmart curriculum resources now available! Cancer Council WA have developed a collection of classroom friendly, educational resources for Western Australian primary schools, outside school hours care (OSHC) and vacation care services. Protecting My Skin contains full lessons,…
Scitech has recently launched a brand new gallery, with 17 exhibits to help you explore the world of science and technology, and how it solves challenges at home, in the Western Australian community and around the world. The new gallery titled Here, There and Everywhere includes a sun shield exhibit that promotes SunSmart strategies and the importance of sun protection and skin cancer prevention.
Sun Shields is an interactive activity that challenges users to select how best to protect people from the damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This exhibit is a great opportunity for children, teens and adults to engage in the important topic of sun protection – and it’s fun!
The exhibit helps to visualise what it would look like if we could see the harmful UV rays during everyday activities. The launch of this exhibit reinforces the importance of continued education in skin care awareness and prevention practices.
Our SunSmart WA team were fortunate enough to visit the exhibit and have a go. The exhibit promotes using a combination of the five SunSmart strategies, Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide to provide the best level of protection from UV rays. The activity also highlights the changing UV levels throughout the day.
The sun produces three main types of energy: heat, light and UV radiation. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt and hence why it can be so damaging to our skin. The UV Index is a measure that indicates how strong the UV level is. The higher the UV level, the shorter amount of time it takes for skin damage to occur. The UV index typically reaches its peak during the middle of the day, when it can be most damaging to our skin. It is also important to note that it does not need to be hot outside, to be at risk of skin damage. When the UV index is 3 or higher, sun protection is required.
SunSmart WA encourages you to attend the new gallery and benefit from the great learning opportunities while having some fun.
For further information on the new gallery Here, There and Everywhere visit scitech.org.au.
Remember, seek sun protection when the UV index is 3 and above!
