UV warning
Focus Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
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10.
Briefly summarise the UV warning story.
What does UV stand for?
What sorts of thing is UV light used for?
You can see UV light. True or false?
What are some harmful effects of UV light?
What is the UV index and what information does it give?
What factors are considered when calculating a UV warning?
Which vitamin is produced by sunlight?
Why does the human body need it?
What do you understand more clearly since watching the BtN story?
UV warning
Remember and understand

Working in pairs, brainstorm the beneficial and harmful effects
of the sun. Create a poster to display the information.

What does it mean to be SunSmart? Write your own
definition/explanation. Why do all Australians need to be
SunSmart?

Using the BtN transcript
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/teachers.html
choose 8-10 key words from the UV warning story and create an
illustrated glossary. Display your glossary in an interesting way.
Apply and Analyse

Levels of UV radiation vary depending on a number of factors. These
include; time of day, time of year, geographic location, altitude,
cloud cover and the environment (reflective surfaces). Research
each factor in more detail and provide a brief explanation.

Monitor the UV index and temperature in your area for a week and
graph the results. Explain the connection between UV and
temperature.

Choose five locations within Australia and record:
The UV index
Rating
Sun protection times
Give a brief explanation about different locations and sun protection
times.
© ABC 2010
EPISODE 32
9TH NOVEMBER 2010
Learning Area
Health and
Physical
Education, Science
Key learning
Students will
develop knowledge
and understandings
about the UV
index, factors
affecting UV
levels and
SunSmart
behaviours.
Evaluate and create

Why is Vitamin D important to the human body? Investigate safe
ways of getting a dose of Vitamin D from the sun.

Create a game, poster or public service announcement that explains
the UV index to kids and encourages them to check it regularly.

Evaluate your own SunSmart behaviours by placing a tick in the
column that best describes your behaviour.
Behaviour
Always
Sometimes
Never
Wear a hat
Wear protective
clothing
Apply
sunscreen
Seek shade
Wear
sunglasses
What behaviours do you need to improve on? Discuss with another
student the responses.
 Related Research Links
ABC Behind the News – UV mushrooms
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2916075.htm
ABC Behind the News – Vitamin D
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/v3/stories/s1627682.htm
Bureau of Meteorology – The Ultra Violet (UV) Index
http://www.bom.gov.au/info/about_uv.shtml
Kids.net.au – Ultraviolet
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/ul/Ultraviolet_light
Cancer Council – Understanding UV radiation
http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/editorial.asp?pageid=1840
Cancer Council – When should I protect my skin?
http://www.cancersa.org.au/aspx/When_should_I_protect_my_skin.aspx
© ABC 2010