Year 5 – 6 | SunSmart Board Game

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

Background

Students design and construct a SunSmart board game. In doing so, they conceptualise a board game, focused on facts,
myths and misconceptions about UV and sun protection. The board game must have a sun safety theme and educate the
importance of sun protection. Students are encouraged to show awareness of sun safety in multiple scenarios within the
game, such as sport, leisure and social situations.

Key messages

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is invisible, you cannot see or feel it. We can see its effects though
• If the UV Index is 3 or above, it can cause sunburn and skin damage
• Overexposure to UV radiation is the major cause of skin cancer
• Childhood and adolescence are critical periods during which overexposure to UV increases the risk of skin cancers
  later in life
• The sun produces UVA (skin damage/skin cancer, ageing, wrinkles), UVB (sunburn, skin cancer) and UVC (doesn’t
  reach earth)
• UV damage is preventable by using five forms of sun protection – Slip on protective clothing, Slop on sunscreen, Slap on
  a broad-brimmed hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses.

Resources

• Generation SunSmart
• SunSmart – Cancer Council WA
• SunSmart board game sample questions
• Range of art and craft materials
• Colouring markers
• Glue and scissors

Instructions

1. Discuss and recall sun protection prior knowledge using key questions.
2. Students research popular board games and discuss how they could be adapted to incorporate a SunSmart theme. See
   example resource SunSmart board game and game questions.
3. Plan a design, concept and goal of the game. Consider the player age and year level.
4. Research sun protection questions and answers using the websites.
5. Share board game designs and include discussion with constructive feedback.
   – How are you going to use the board game to educate about UV protection?
   – How could you improve your SunSmart board game?
6. Return to groups and make any updates, changes or improvements to their board game.
7. Construct their SunSmart board game using a range of art and craft materials.
8. Swap board games between groups or visit a ‘buddy’ class to play the game.

Key questions

• What do you know about UV radiation and the UV Index?
• How can the UV Index be helpful?
• What are the short-term and long-term risks of not using UV protection?
• What are the sun protection strategies?