EPA SunWise: Frequent Questions

1. How do I qualify for participation in The SunWise Program?

The SunWise program is open to full-time educators in elementary or middle schools, and to informal educators and non-profit organizations interested in promoting sun safety. Educators in the United States who are currently working with grades K-8 may use the SunWise school registration web page to join the program. Others -- student teachers, teacher trainers, home schools, preschool or high school teachers, science museum staff, camp counselors, girl/boy scout leaders, staff of 501(c)3 organizations, etc. -- may use the SunWise partner registration web page to request materials. Educators outside the Unites States may contact us at sunwise@epa.gov to request SunWise materials. We will mail SunWise materials (a "tool kit") free of charge to educators and qualifying groups.

If you are not a school, non-profit group, or other informal learning institution, you may purchase SunWise educational materials for $40 from the National Technical Information Service at http://www.ntis.gov. The NTIS order number is AVA21156-KK0.

2. Can each teacher or class in my school receive a SunWise Tool Kit?

Generally there should be one Tool Kit per school. Please see our Tool Kit distribution policy for exceptions.

3. How long will it take for my kit to arrive?

It may take up to 6 weeks for your Tool Kit to arrive. Please contact us at sunwise@epa.gov if your kit has not arrived within this time frame.

4. Are SunWise Materials available in Spanish?

The Tool Kit and several other documents are available in Spanish. Please link to our Spanish web site for more details -- www.epa.gov/sunwise/es/home.html.

5. I forgot/lost/could not copy down my SunWise ID number.

If you lost your registration information or your internet browser closed before you could record your ID number, and you would like to know whether or not you are registered, please contact us at sunwise@epa.gov with your name and school, and we will provide you with your ID information.

6. Our school operates during the summer. Is it possible to register my class and receive the Tool Kit during this time?

Please register and contact us at sunwise@epa.gov if you need to receive your Tool Kit between May and September. We will gladly accommodate your request.

7. Do I need to re-register with the Program for each year that I plan to participate?

You do not need to reregister each year. One-time registration will keep you in the SunWise database.

8. How do I report UV Index information on the SunWise web site? How often should I report UV data from my meter? Is there a specific time of day when I should collect data?

Please visit http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/enterdata.html to report UV data. There is no specific time of day at which we require that you collect data. You can perform this activity with your classroom at your convenience. Please remember your commitment to post/report data three times weekly for five months.

9. Where did The SunWise Program get their UV meters? Where can I obtain a UV meter or other products to measure UV rays at my convenience?

If you would like to obtain a UV meter or related product, you may contact one of the vendors below, or select any of the other suppliers in the open market. We urge you to check the open market for price, quality, and delivery terms before purchasing any items. (EPA cannot endorse the products and services of these vendors.)

The EPA procured UV meters through a competitive process in which two vendors were selected. They are:

The Safesun personal UV meter from Optix Tech, Inc., www.safesun.com, and
The UV Index solarmeter from Solartech, Inc., www.solarmeter.com.

UV Sensitive Beads --Educational Innovations at http://www.teachersource.com/catalog (search for "UV beads").
UV sensitive stickers -- A link to the company that sells these can be found on one of our SunWise teacher's web sites -- www.morrisonlabs.com.

The listing of these sites should not be read as an endorsement by EPA.

10. Where can I obtain more information regarding the ozone layer, ozone depletion, and global warming?

For more information on these topics, please visit http://www.epa.gov/ozone and http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming.

11. Is there a SunWise video?

A SunWise video is now available. Please contact us at sunwise@epa.gov to request a free copy.