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Ban the beds
Equipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science

2. 2
Objectives
To use knowledge about UV light to
explain the link between sunbeds and skin
cancer.
To understand how scientific evidence can
support a claim.

3. 3
Scientific news Educational Investigations Health issues Weird World health
Tanning addict diagnosed with skin
cancer at just 19 years old
• Hayley Thompson first used sunbeds at age 13.
• She thought she looked healthier with a suntan.
• Now she has an aggressive form of skin cancer.
• Melanoma can spread quickly through the body.
• Thinks sunbeds are killers and should be banned.
THE DAILY REPORT online
What do you think?
Should sunbeds be banned?
STARTER

4. 4
We’re going to interview Hayley.
We want to follow with a report on
‘should sunbeds be banned?’
It must start with a strong claim.
You’re a researcher on
A TV news show.
STARTER

5. 5
Number of sunbed salons
Number of
people with
skin cancer
What does this graph show?
STARTER

6. 6
Write the intro for the report.
I need more scientific evidence
before I can use this in the report.
So you think our claim could be:
Sunbeds cause skin cancer?
SS1-2
Read the information.
Find out:
• Which objects give off UV light
• If UV can be harmful
• How sunbeds are linked to skin cancer
CORE TASK

7. 7
To make the claim believable we
need more evidence.
Choose one piece that best supports
our claim.
EXTENSION
Describe what the evidence shows.
Explain how it supports our claim.
Work in a group.
Study the evidence and discuss
what each shows.
Choose the one that best supports our
claim.
SS2-3

8. For more, visit EngagingScience.eu
Get students talking and thinking

9. For more, visit EngagingScience.eu
Student sheets
Ban the beds
Sheet no. Title Notes
SS1 Science of UV light Reusable, one per pair, can be
projected
SS2 Programme outline Consumable, one per student
SS3 Evidence Reusable, one per group

10. 10
Ultraviolet (UV) light is an invisible wave – a type of electromagnetic radiation.
It has a higher frequency than visible light.
The sun gives out UV light.
The sun’s rays contain 3 types of UV:
The ozone layer blocks 97-99% of UV radiation from the sun from
reaching the Earth’s surface.
● UVC is mostly
filtered out by the
Earth’s
atmosphere.
● UVB is what makes
your skin burn and is
the main cause of skin
cancer.
● UVA makes up most of
sunlight and makes skin
age. It can also cause skin
cancer.
Sunbeds give off UVA and
UVB rays like the sun
Science of UV light
You may get a tan when your skin absorbs UV light. Too
much gives you sunburn.
UV damages your DNA. This can build up over many years
and lead to skin cancer.
SS1

11. 11
Introduction: Abigail will explain the science of UV light.
The evidence: She will describe the evidence which supports our claim.
Researcher: .................................................................. Claim: Sunbeds cause skin cancer
The evidence shows that...
Programme outline
SS2
This supports our claim because...

12. 12
1
Increase in natural UV levels from the sun 1980-
1997
Increase in
yearly UV dose
11-13%
8-10%
5-7%
0-4%
* Irradiance is a measurement
of how strong radiation is.
2
3 4
Evidence
SS3

13. For more, visit EngagingScience.eu
Get students talking and thinking

14. For more, visit EngagingScience.eu
Equipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science