Year 1 – 2 | UV Reactive Detection Beads

Protecting My Skin full resource download  |  Concept 2: Heat and UV from the sun: What’s the difference? download

Background

The UV Reactive Detection Beads activity is a great opportunity for students to observe the effects of UV radiation. The
stronger the UV radiation present, the quicker the colour change of the beads and the deeper the colour. Once indoors and
away from the sun’s UV, the beads change back to off-white. There are 3 parts to this activity, part 1 explores the concept
of UV radiation using the UV beads and part 2 is an experiment, testing how the UV beads respond in different conditions.
Then in part 3, students create a UV bead wrist band that they can take outdoors to see the effects of UV radiation.

Key messages

• UV is invisible, you cannot see or feel it. If the UV Index is 3 or above, it can cause sunburn and skin damage
• When the UV Index is 3 or above, sun protection is required.
• UV and heat are different. We do not only need to use sun protection when it is hot.
• UV radiation can bounce and reflect off surfaces, so it is important to use a combination of sun protection.
• The UV Index is an open-ended numerical scale that measures the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface.
• A daily time period shows the strength of UV levels and peaks normally at solar noon on a clear sky day. Solar noon
  is the point at which the sun is directly overhead.

Resources

• Source UV detection beads (purchase online – Mad About Science)
• Variety of light sources (lamp, UV torch, etc.)
• Canisters, small containers, or empty cans
• White and black cloth or card
• Broad-brimmed or bucket hats
• Water
• Plastic wrap
• Sunscreen with an SPF50 or SPF50+
• Long pipe cleaners

Part 1- Exploring

Instructions

1. Have the students move around the room, looking at the colour of their beads, placed under different sources of light.
   Note that fluorescent lighting will not change the colour of the beads.
2. As the students move towards the window, they should notice that their beads will begin to change colour.
3. Take students outside if possible; it does not have to be a bright sunny day. Ensure that appropriate sun protective
   measures are taken for students and staff.
4. Class discussion: prompt students with the following questions to help them develop an explanation for the changes
   they are seeing in the UV beads

Part 2 – Experimenting

Instructions

1. Find an area in full sunlight.
2. Arrange the students into groups of 3-4 and distribute materials.
3. Have each group of students put three UV beads in each film canister/container/petri dish (lids are not required
   unless used to secure beads whilst moving outside. Remove lids once outside).

Process

Students will place different coverings on top of the canisters to determine the effect of the light restriction for this
experiment. This activity can be done in small groups or completed as a whole class.

1. Discuss the experiment with students and hypothesise what they think will happen.
2. Instruct students to test the following nine scenarios (if it is difficult to do all 9 tests at the one time, break the
   experiment into a couple of separate sessions). If you do not have a canister, tin cans or other small containers will
   also work. Place some UV beads into 9 canisters.

• Canister 1. (control) Set it on a desk or the ground with nothing over it.
• Canister 2. Lay a white piece of cloth over it.
• Canister 3. Lay a black piece of cloth over it.
• Canister 4. Put sunglasses over this canister.
• Canister 5. Put a broad-brimmed hat over this canister.
• Canister 6. Fill this canister with water. String the beads on a paper clip so that they will sink.
• Canister 7. Cover this canister with plastic wrap.
• Canister 8. Cover this canister with plastic wrap and then apply a coat of sunscreen SPF50 or
  SPF50+ to the plastic with a paintbrush or sponge.
• Canister 9. Repeat the instructions for the previous canister using a SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen.

3. Observe each canister and discuss findings.

Key questions

• Which canister with UV beads had the darkest colour? Why do you think this happened?
• Which canister with UV beads colour did not change colour or was the lightest? Why do you think this happened?
• What does the canister with sunscreen tell us?

Part 3 – Creating

Instructions

1. To make a UV wrist band, provide each student with a pipe cleaner and UV bead. More UV beads can be used if possible.
2. Thread the UV beads onto the pipe cleaner.
3. Shape the pipe cleaner into a circle shape and twist the ends together to join.

Variation

The reactive UV beads can be transferred into an Art or Design and Technology project where students design
and make a bracelet, other jewelery, or key ring to show where there is UV.
UV radiation cannot be seen or felt, and the piece of jewelery or key ring will be a reminder to use sun protection.

When completing activities and lessons outdoors when the UV Index is 3 or above, please remember to be SunSmart