Educator Resources

How to download materials | Supplemental materials | Teacher tips

The SunWise Program provides a variety of educational tools for use in schools and in less formal settings. Program participants receive a "tool kit" of materials to help them teach sun-wise behavior in classrooms, community organizations, and homes. Please visit our Tools page for more information about the materials. To participate in the SunWise Program, visit our registration pages for schools and community organizations.

On this page, we offer SunWise materials that you may download and use, and teacher tips. These materials supplement the tool kit distributed to program participants.

Have you developed a sun safety lesson plan that you use in your classroom? Send it to sunwise@epa.gov and we may post it on this page.

How to download materials

Downloading SunWise materials involves saving files on your computer. If you click the links below in the usual way, the resources will be displayed by your browser. To download a file instead of viewing it, follow these steps:

1. Windows - Right-click the link. Pick Save Target As... or Save Link As... from the list.
   Macintosh - Hold down the Option key while you click the link.
2. Choose a location (folder) on your computer in which to save the file, and click the Save button.

Supplemental materials

For a complete listing of SunWise fact sheets, brochures, and posters, please visit our Publications Page. See sample activities on our Tool Kit page.

SunWise Introductory Lessons - These files contain computer-based introductory lessons that can be used to introduce the topic of sun safety and being SunWise.

• SunWise K-2 Introductory Lesson (PowerPoint, 9 MB)
  • Speaker Notes for the K-2 Introductory Lesson (PDF, 2.1 MB)
• SunWise 3-5 Introductory Lesson (PowerPoint, 8.4 MB)
  • Speaker Notes for the 3-5 Introductory Lesson (PDF, 1.8 MB)
• SunWise 6-8 Introductory Lesson (PowerPoint, 12.4 MB)
  • Speaker Notes for the 6-8 Introductory Lesson (PDF, 1.7 MB)

Introductory Lesson Supporting Files

• Harmful UV Radiation Video (Windows video format, 2.1 minutes, 4.7 MB) To view the video, you will need a computer with speakers and player software that is compatible with Windows Media Video (.WMV) file format. An example is Windows Media Player software, available free from Microsoft. Note: The video does not have captions for the sound track.

Other Resources

• Average Monthly UV Index - This Web page contains 12 maps showing the average monthly UV Index for the United States. You could use the maps in a classroom activity discussing students' vacation travel plans and action steps for sun protection.
• Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: Policies to Promote Sun Safety and Prevent Skin Cancer (PDF, 42 pp., 852 KB) - This model policy language from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) gives sample sun safety policies that reflect best practice and can be adapted to fit local circumstances.
• SunWise Meteorologist Kit (PDF, 53 pp., 2.2MB) - SunWise, in partnership with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS), has developed a tool kit specifically designed for broadcast and operational meteorologists. The kit is intended to assist meteorologists in educating children about UV radiation and sun protection.
• Shade Planning for America's Schools (PDF, 70 pp, 1 MB) - This guidance document was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist schools in creating and maintaining a physical environment that supports sun safety by ensuring that school grounds have adequate shade. Of particular interest is the information on planning and designing a shade structure on school grounds, and a "how to" on conducting a shade audit.
• SunWise Program on Radio Disney - In 2007, SunWise participated in numerous Radio Disney interviews and played a PSA by T-Squad. Listen to the PSA and informative, educational and fun radio interviews by clicking on the link above.
• The Sunscreen Dance with Fun Activities - The Swingset Mamas are allowing SunWise teachers to download and use their hit "The Sunscreen Dance" for educational purposes. To complement the fun and engaging song, EPA created some additional activities for you and your students.

Top of page