Year 3 – 4 | Design a Sunscreen Label
Protecting My Skin full resource download | Concept 2: Heat and UV from the sun: What’s the difference? download
Background
This lesson is designed to raise student awareness and knowledge around the use of sunscreen. There are two parts to this
activity: 1. Research and analyse health information around sunscreen 2. Design the front and back labels to communicate
why sunscreen is recommended, how to apply it and other important information.
Key messages
- Sunscreen reduces the risk of skin cancer, sunburn, and the ageing effects of UV radiation.
- Broad spectrum sunscreen protects the skin from both UVA and UVB radiation.
- SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF50 or SPF50+ is recommended.
- It is recommended that sunscreen is applied 20 minutes before going into the sun. This allows the sunscreen time to
bond properly to the skin. - Apply sunscreen generously, layer it and do not rub it in.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or more often if swimming, sweating or towelling off.
- When the UV Index is 3 or above, use a combination of strategies to protect your skin (Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide).
- Sunscreen is not a suit of armour and needs to be used in conjunction with other sun protection.
Resources
- Samples of different sunscreen bottles/tubes and brands
- Activity sheets: Design a Sunscreen Label Plans
- Correct sunscreen application poster
- Top tips for sunscreen use
- How the sun sees you
- Background reading for teachers
Instructions
- Research sunscreen using links available under ‘resources’ heading and answer key questions.
- Take notes in exercise book.
- Look at different sample sunscreen bottles and their ingredients. Do you notice any similarities or differences?
- Explore the information that is on a sunscreen bottle: SPF50 or SPF50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistance and
instructions on how to apply. - Using the ‘Design a Sunscreen Label Template Plan’, plan and draw your own design of the front and back of a sunscreen
label. Use written text, images or step-by-step instructions to communicate why sunscreen is recommended, how to
apply it and other important information.
Extension
- Students glue and wrap their sunscreen label onto a recycled bottle or tube.
Key questions
- What do you know about sunscreen?
- Why do we need sunscreen? What are the SunSmart recommendations?
- How does sunscreen help us?
- How often should you apply sunscreen?
- What is meant by broad spectrum?
- What does SPF stand for? What does it mean?
- What is the correct way to apply sunscreen?