You, me and UV – unit plan
The hole in the ozone layer is a problem for all New Zealanders because it allows greater levels of potentially harmful UV rays to enter the atmosphere. These rays have been found to increase the risk of melanoma. This teacher resource assists teachers get across a number of important science and health messages to their students.
Sunbathers
UV radiation absorbed from the sun can cause cancer. UV radiation has been shown to cause cancers such as melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer.
The learning outcomes of this teacher resource are that students will:
have a greater understanding of the properties of UV light and the effects of UV radiation on the human body
improve their understanding of the importance of making sensible lifestyle choices in relation to UV radiation in the New Zealand context.
Students will meet these learning outcomes by:
thinking about the practice of sunbathing and the implications of sunburn
examining the electromagnetic spectrum and the different wave types that make it up
looking at positive and negative points of UV radiation
understanding why New Zealand has higher UV levels and what we can do to lessen the negative impact of UV radiation
using UV beads to investigate UV intensity
investigating how sunscreen use can decrease the negative impact of over-exposure to the harmful rays of the sun
learning how to make an item to monitor their exposure to UV radiation
improving their understanding of the impact of melanoma by studying an available resource. This will also encourage discussion/ brainstorming of ideas on ways to reduce exposure to UV radiation and, therefore, reduce our risk of developing skin cancer.
Download the unit plan below.
Related content
The content referenced in this unit plan are:
The electromagnetic spectrum – interactive image map
Articles:
Videos:
Images:
Activities:
For more resources related to UV, this article introduces the range of content we have, including the article What is UV.
Discover more about the ozone layer and it's importance.
Scientists in Aotearoa New Zealand monitor UV and ozone levels.
Reseachers use satellites to study the atmosphere over Antarctica, this article look at the factors that affect the Antarctic climate, the ozone hole and their interactions.
