Year 5 – 6 | Building of a 3D Model of the Skin

Protecting My Skin full resource download  |  Concept 1: The sun and our skin download

Background

This lesson is designed to consolidate and broaden knowledge and understanding about the skin and how to protect it from
harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Students are set with the challenge to build a 3D model of the skin using
recyclable materials or air-drying clay. It provides an opportunity to better understand the layers of the skin and how UV
rays penetrate the skin.

Key messages

• Skin is the body’s largest organ that provides us with the sense of touch and protects our body
• Sunscreen offers protection from damaging UV when used alongside protective clothing, hats, shade and sunglasses
• Reactions to sunscreen are rare, however Cancer Council recommend usage tests before applying any sunscreen
• The sun produces UVA (skin damage/skin cancer, aging, wrinkles), UVB (sunburn, skin cancer) and UVC (doesn’t reach
  earth)
• A sunburn is a radiation burn from the sun. The sun produces ultraviolet radiation that causes damage to the skin.

Resources

• The Science of skin- Emma Bryce TED-Ed
• Model materials: tissue box, toothpicks, pipe cleaners, cotton balls, plastic wrap, plasticine, hair drying clay or play
  dough and other recyclable materials.
• Resource sheet: How UV Affects the Skin

Instructions

1. Class discussion to activate prior knowledge about skin. Ask some key questions or alternatively, students can research
   “What is skin?”
2. Watch the video and discuss what they know about the layers of the skin.
3. Review layers of skin infographic and how UVA and UVB rays impact the skin.
4. Plan: Explain to students that they will be creating 3D models of the skin. Students research how to make a 3D model of
   the skin.
5. Brainstorm materials that could be used to build skin models.
6. Divide students into pairs to sketch their model designs.
7. Make a final list of required materials. Students bring items from home on the day of the project.
8. Create and construct: Students build their designs ensuring each model is labelled accurately and shows how UV
   rays penetrate the skin.

Key questions

• What do you know about skin?
• What is the purpose of skin? Why do we have skin?
• Why is skin so important?
• How do we care for our skin?
• What are some ways we can protect our skin?
• Why is it important to protect our skin?

Extension

• Report writing – students create a report that consolidates their understanding of what the skin does, how the sun can
  affect the skin, and how we can stay healthy by protecting our skin.