Year 5 – 6 | Be a UV Legend

Protecting My Skin full resource download  |  Concept 5: Taking positive action to reduce risk: Promoting and actioning effective sun protection strategies download

Background

In this lesson, students examine short videos of athletes spreading the UV and sun protection message. Students analyse
the video campaigns and critique their effectiveness in spreading the message. The lesson is designed to focus on
the importance and impact that positive role models have on children and young people in practicing sun protection
behaviours. Students complete the activity sheet and select their own ambassador to spread the UV and sun protection
message.

Key messages

• Research has established that childhood and adolescence are critical periods during which sun exposure could
  contribute to skin cancer later in life
• It is estimated that more than 75% of all skin cancers could be prevented by practising sun protective behaviours in
  childhood and adolescence
• Skin damage is caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, not temperature. A cool or overcast day can have similar UV levels
  to a warm, sunny day
• Positive role models of sun protection behaviours, such as teachers, parents and ambassadors help to embed these
  strategies into healthy lifestyles of children and young people
• Younger children look up to their older peers and are easily influenced by them. Older students role modelling the five
  sun protection practices – Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide – means their younger peers are more likely to copy and adopt
  these practices.

Resources

• Be a UV Legend Sydney Sixers
• Be a UV Legend Sydney Thunder
• Football tackle UV with good sun protection
• Device or shared screen
• Activity sheet: Be a UV Legend Template
• Activity sheet: Be a UV Legend Ambassador

Instructions

1. Watch each video and take notes of interest.
2. Replay videos to ensure all elements can be critiqued.
3. Key questions and class discussion about each video.
4. Critique the video messages using the activity sheet.
5. Class discussion to share ideas.
6. Select two athletes or sport persons to be good ambassadors for the UV campaign.
7. Complete the activity sheet.
8. Present their ambassador to the class.

Key questions

• What are the key messages to reduce risk?
• What technique is being used to connect to the audience?
• Is the technique effective? Explain.
• Who is the target audience? How do you know?
• What could be done better? What part is most engaging?
• Why are role models so important in sun protection?