Be Sun Smart and Protect Your Skin
Playing and spending time outdoors is good for your students but it is important to protect their skin when outside in the sun. Protect yourself and your students by following and promoting the SunSmart guide to protecting skin and eyes.
- Slip on clothing that covers your skin such as long sleeves or collared t-shirts.
- Slop on sunscreen on exposed areas using factor 30+ for adults and 50+ for children.
- Slap on a wide-brimmed hat
- Seek shade - especially if outdoors between 11am and 3pm and always use a sunshade on a child’s buggy.
- Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes.
SunSmart Lessons 3rd-6th
Sun Smart Lessons Junior - 2nd
Know the UV Index
The UV index tells us what level of UV radiation is reaching the earth's surface. It ranges from zero to 11+. The higher the UV index, the greater the risk of skin and eye damage and the less time it takes for harm to occur.
In Ireland, the UV index is usually 3 or above from April to September, even when it is cloudy. Stay safe by limiting time in the sun when UV is strongest, typically between the hours of 11am to 3pm.
Classroom Activities:
- Download the UV Index poster and stick it onto your classroom and staffroom noticeboard. Update your noticeboard daily with the UV Index number for the day.
- Check the UV Index using the Met Éireann website.
- Compare the UV Index of Ireland to other European countries using the DWD UV Index for Europe.
- Examine the Irish Skin Foundation poster and list 7 factors that influence the UV Index number.
- Download the following UV Index clipart and create a school poster to explain and highlight the UV Index.
UV and Human Health
Getting too much sun can be harmful whatever your age. It exposes your skin to ultra violet radiation (UV rays) that can damage your skin and lead to skin cancer. With good protection against UV rays, most cases of skin cancer could be avoided.
This doesn’t mean you have to avoid the sun completely. Sun exposure is the best natural source of vitamin D and is important for general health. You can still go for walks, enjoy the garden and get involved in all of the things you enjoy doing outdoors. Just make sure to think about how you will protect your skin when outside.
Source: Irish Cancer Society
Classroom Activities:
- Debunk the myths about skin care, sun protection, and sun-beds using a walking debate.
- Discuss how ultraviolet rays affect your health using this collaborative diamond activity.
- Download the SunSmart code poster for your classroom. Using the poster as a guide, get your class to create a SunSmart brochure for their family.
- Assign this NCCA task on UV light and Human Health. Students will need to research one of the questions given and present their findings in a report for their school magazine. Example One | Example Two
What is UV Radiation?
Classroom Activities:
- Research and reveal what ultraviolet radiation is with this Presentation Guide. Students will be introduced to the skills involved in researching.
- Identify key questions about UV radiation that need to be researched and record your sources used. Sample recording sheet available here.
- Consider the quality of information from sources during the research activity using the evaluating sources guide.
