Year 3 – 4 | Be UV Aware

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

Background

This lesson aims to consolidate and extend students’ awareness around the effects of UV radiation from the sun and how to
protect your skin. Students watch two videos about ultraviolet (UV) radiation and how they can enjoy the sun safely.

Key messages

• We often check the weather forecast, but it is important to check the daily UV Index.
• When the UV Index is 3 or above, sun protection is required to protect our skin.
• UV radiation is invisible, you cannot see it or feel it.
• UV and heat are not the same thing. It is not only when it is hot that we need to use sun protection.
• The UV Index can be 3 or above when it is cool and cloudy too.
• When UV levels are at their peak, minimise time outdoors during these times.
• The UV Index is an open-ended numerical scale that measures the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface.

Resources

• Activity sheet: Be UV Aware
• Be UV Aware video – What is UV?
• MyUV.com.au
• Behind the News Sun Safety
• SunSmart Global UV app
• How to read the daily UV forecast

Instructions

1. Class discussion and activate students’ prior knowledge about UV radiation and sun protection.
2. View clip, Be UV Aware – What is UV?
3. Students create notes and answer the first 3 questions on the activity sheet.
4. Watch Behind the News Sun Safety video which focuses on how to protect ourselves from overexposure to UV radiation.
5. Students take notes and answer remaining questions on the activity sheet.

Key questions

• What time of the day is the sun the strongest?
• What do you think the UV Index was in the morning?
• What do you think the UV Index was in the evening?
• Do you think it is a good idea to go out in the sun in the middle of day? Why? or Why not?
• What does the UV Index tell us?
• When is it the best time of the day to play outside?
• If you are outside in the middle of the day, what do you need to do?