LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Sun & skin

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=422

A lesson plan for Grades 7–12 Advanced Placement Earth and Environmental Science

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

About this resource

Appropriate grades
7–12
Subjects
healthful living (physical health/disease prevention), science (environmental science), thinking skills (higher order thinking, information literacy, research skills)
Provider
American Association for the Advancement of Science

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Part of the Skin Deep Project, a partnership between AAAS and Neutrogena, this lesson teaches students about the damaging effects of sunburns and tanning, and how sunscreens work to protect humans from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Students discuss what they already know about the impact sun exposure has on their skin and what they typically do to protect themselves. Using a number of online resources, students learn how to care for their skin, the damaging effects of sunburns and tanning, and how sunscreens provide protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. Students participate in large group discussion and small group research that will inform them about the different functions of the skin, tanning, sunburns and skin damage. In the final activity in this lesson, students write a letter to a friend offering advice either for or against the use of sunscreens or tanning salons. Science NetLinks provides student handouts, teacher resources, research questions, and links to web resources on the four topics. This lesson also contains links to sites that provide information about sunless tanning products from How Stuff Works, UV radiation and each state’s percent of yearly sunshine, and Sunsmart, an Australian project to minimize sun exposure, as well as related lesson plans.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grades 9–12 — Advanced Placement Earth and Environmental Science

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry.
    • Objective 1.01: Identify questions and problems in the earth and environmental sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations.

Healthful Living Education (2006)

Grade 7

  • Goal 2: The learner will develop knowledge and skills to enhance personal and consumer health.
    • Objective 2.08: Evaluate environmental, psychological, and social factors that might affect excessive sun exposure and describe how these factors contribute to the development of skin cancer.

Grade 8

  • Goal 4: The learner will apply knowledge and behavior self management skills to areas of nutrition and physical activity for healthy growth, development, and maintenance.
    • Objective 4.08: Recognize and describe signs, symptoms, and consequences of common eating disorders and identify resources for help.