As part of the September 2020 release of the Sun and UV at School classroom resources, the Cancer Institute NSW launched the Sun and UV at School Challenge for NSW schools.
The challenge encouraged K–10 students to work individually or in groups to solve real-world problems linked to skin cancer prevention. They were tasked with demonstrating how to best protect themselves, their friends, and the wider community from the harmful effects of the sun.
Inquiry and project-based learning was at the core of this initiative. Students built on existing ideas of what it means to be sun safe and developed contemporary solutions to shade provision. The challenge drew on the new classroom resources and the objectives, content, skills and outcomes of the aligned K–10 PDHPE and Science syllabuses.
Winners of the Sun and UV at School Challenge
Year 3 students from Wyrallah Road Public School in Lismore - Sienna McCaughley, Olivia K Lawlor and Sienna Rita Clark - took out the first prize in the junior division (years K–3). Year 4 student from Rozelle Public School in Sydney - Clara Namdarian - took out the first prize in the senior division (years 4–6).
The students designed fun, functional, and innovative spaces that protect their school community from the harmful effects of the sun and UV, winning $500 worth of Westfield vouchers for themselves and $2,000 for their facilitating teacher to spend on classroom resources.
St Edward’s Primary School in Tamworth took out awards for both the class and school with the highest number of entries, submitting 137 entries in total.
"The Challenge was an invaluable way for my students to learn about sun safety in a very practical way. Some of the students’ designs for a sun safe playground were truly incredible. We will be using our prize, 1,500 bottles of sunscreen, to help improve sun protection around the school."
- Natasha Gippel, sports coordinator and teacher at St Edward's Primary School, Tamworth
Get your students, classroom and school involved
The challenge may be over, but that doesn't mean you can't get your students, classroom and school involved with Sun and UV at School.
Developed by the Cancer Institute NSW in partnership with the NSW department of Education and other education and health sector organisations including SunSmart, the Sun and UV at School classroom resources are a first of their kind in the country.
The resources are a value-packed collection of ready-to-use materials, designed to allow maximum flexibility to fit different teaching styles, student needs and learning environments. They include complete units of work, individual lessons, animations, infographics, links to data repositories and grab-and-go activities, and more.
More information
- Ready to start teaching? Explore the Sun and UV at School resources
- Follow Cancer Institute NSW on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to never miss an update
- Find out how to make your school Sunsmart
- Still have questions? Ask us a question.
