Year 3 – 4 | Design a SunSmart Badge

Protecting My Skin full resource download  |  Concept 4: Keeping Your Skin Sun Safe download

Background

This lesson provides a great way to reinforce and promote SunSmart behaviours. It encourages students to think critically
about healthy lifestyle choices around sun protection and how they will portray these messages on a badge.

Key messages

• The sun produces 3 things, light that we can see, heat that we can feel and ultraviolet (UV) radiation that we cannot
  see or feel.
• Skin damage is caused by UV radiation, not temperature. A cool or overcast day can have similar UV levels to a warm,
  sunny day.
• UV and heat are not the same thing, we not only need to use sun protection when it is hot.
• The UV Index can be 3 or above when it is cool and cloudy too.
• We often check the weather forecast, but it’s important to check the daily UV Index to protect our skin.
• The free SunSmart Global UV app is useful to obtain the latest UV forecast.
• When UV levels are at their peak, minimise time outdoors during these times.
• Best sun protection practices are using a combination of Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.

Resources

• Safety pin
• Laminating sheets
• Card or paper (to photocopy template)
• Resource sheet: SunSmart Badge Template
• Coloured pencils and markers
• Generation SunSmart
• SunSmart Global UV app

Instructions

1. Discuss and reflect on sun protection messages students currently know.
2. Ask key questions to guide discussion. Students can explore Generation SunSmart for ideas.
3. Write key points and ideas on the white board for reference.
4. Distribute SunSmart Badge Template.
5. Students create several designs that promote important SunSmart messages.

Key questions

• What does the sun produce that is harmful to our skin?
• When is it the best time of the day to play outside?
• If UV radiation from the sun is invisible, how do we know that it is there?
• What are some ways we can protect our skin?
• Why is it important to protect our skin?

Extension

• Students create SunSmart badges to be given out by school leaders and or councillors during break times to students
  showing SunSmart behaviours. The badge can have ‘I am SunSmart’ written on it.