Year 5 – 6 | SunSmart Diorama

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

Background

Students create a small world diorama of an environment to protect people from ultraviolet (UV) radiation and explore
how shade plays an important role in sun protection. They will research and gather information about the different types
of shade found and provided in schools, parks and beaches. Students will then design and create a ‘small world’ of these
environments and include examples of quality shade structures or natural shade to protect children from UV radiation.

Key messages

• Shade provides an important role in sun protection. Shade can be natural such as trees, plants, vines, portable and
  permanent shade structures
• Some trees, such as the Eucalyptus camaldulensis, provide more canopy shade protection from UV radiation than other
  trees. There is a canopy density guide available that rates the effectiveness of tree canopy UV protection: heavy – over
  90% UV protection, medium – around 60% UV protection and light – less than 30% UV protection
• Quality shade provides protection from UV radiation and considers how people will use the space
• Well-designed shade considers highly reflective surfaces. Generally, soft or rough surfaces such as brick pavers and
  grass reflect less UV radiation than hard or smooth surfaces
• Good-quality shade fabric is an important part of shade structure. Different fabrics have different UV radiation
  absorbing properties
• UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating is based on how much UV radiation is transmitted through a fabric. It is an
  indicator of the protective ability of the fabric. The higher the UPF, the greater protection offered, with a maximum
  value of UPF 50+. Fabrics that let a lot of light through are not SunSmart. Generally, the less light that can pass
  through, the better the fabric
• Protect your skin in five ways: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide
• UV radiation and heat are not the same thing.

Resources

• Variety of community shade images
• Small cardboard box or shoe box
• Recycled materials
• Range of art and craft materials
• Activity sheet: SunSmart Diorama Planning Sheet
• The Shade Handbook

Instructions

1. Ask key questions to activate prior knowledge.
2. Discuss the importance of shade.
3. Browse a range of images of community shade areas such as parks, beaches or schools.
4. Compare and discuss the shade at your school.
5. Select an environment (beach, park or school) to create a SunSmart small world.
6. Research the environment and explore images of different parks, beaches and schools.
7. Record notes on the planning sheet.
8. Plan, draw and label the design.
9. List resources and materials needed to make a diorama.
10. Create a small world diorama and present it to the class.

Key questions

• What types of shade do you see at the park, beach and school?
• Is shade ‘enough’ to protect your skin from UV radiation? Why not?
• What is the difference between natural shade and man-made shade?
• What are good examples of shade? How do you know?