Year 5 – 6 | The UV Index Explained

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

Background

The lesson aims to consolidate and extend students’ awareness around the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun
and how to protect their skin. The 4 E’s provides students with a structure for a text-based discussion built around making
connections, asking questions, identifying key ideas and considering application. Students complete a 4 C’s Visible Thinking
Routine strategy: connect, challenge, concept and changes.

Key messages

• The UV Index is an open-ended numerical scale that measures the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface.
• The UV Index is a way of describing the intensity of UV radiation
• The sun produces heat that we can feel and light that we can see. It also produces ultraviolet (UV) radiation that we
  cannot see or feel
• The sun produces UVA (skin damage/skin cancer, aging, wrinkles), UVB (sunburn, skin cancer) and UVC (doesn’t reach
  earth)
• When the UV Index is 3 or above, sun protection is required
• UV and heat are not the same thing
• The UV index can be 3 or above when it is cool and cloudy
• UV radiation can bounce and reflect off surfaces, so it is important to use all five forms of sun protection. Slip, Slop,
  Slap, Seek and Slide.

Resources

• The UV Index explained
• Activity sheet: 4Cs Template
• How to read the daily UV forecast poster
• www.myuv.com.au

Instructions

1. Activate prior knowledge through class discussion and key questions.
2. View the UV Index video and record notes for further discussion.
3. Apply findings using the 4 C’s visible thinking strategy.
4. Connect: What connections can you draw between the research and your own understanding of UV radiation?
5. Challenge: What ideas or statements do you want to challenge or argue with from the information?
6. Concepts: What key concepts or ideas do you think are important and worth using if you were planning for an improved
   environment?
7. Changes: What changes in attitudes, thinking, or actions are suggested by the video that could help communities have
   healthier environmental outcomes?
8. Can students explain how scientific knowledge helps us to solve problems and inform decisions?

Key questions

• What is the UV Index?
• What does the UV Index tell us?
• What is the difference between UV radiation and heat?
• What factors affect the UV levels?
• Where can you find information about the UV Index forecast?
• When is UV at its highest during the day?
• What are some ways we can protect our skin?