The document discusses ways to use technology to encourage ultimate frisbee players to apply sunscreen more regularly. It describes a pilot program called "Ultimate Sun" that sent SMS reminders before practices and found mixed results, with some players applying sunscreen and others not. It concludes that distributing free sunscreen bottles to all players could help ensure more consistent sunscreen use going forward.

1. ULTIMATE SUN How can we use technology to convince ultimate frisbee players to apply sunscreen? JIMMY CHEN • REED MATHENY HABITS.STANFORD.EDU The question:

2. Meet Andrew Pariser Member of the Stanford Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team Attends outdoor practice ~3x per week Finds out about practice and pickup times through email Familiar with text messaging

3. Monday afternoon practice without Ultimate Sun Everything goes fine until he realizes he’s gotten another sunburn, and tells himself that he’ll definitely remember sunscreen next time… Andrew packs his cleats and jersey a few minutes before practice, but does not apply sunscreen – it’s not a habit

4. Monday afternoon practice with Ultimate Sun Andrew is in a position to immediately act on the reminder – it’s a hot trigger . He applies sunscreen, goes to practice, and remains sunburn free 15 minutes before practice, Andrew receives an SMS with practice time, location, and sunscreen reminder

5. A Midpoint Correction Original Text Message (4/23, 4/24): Pickup on Roble Field at 2:15 today. Don’t forget Sunscreen! New Text Message (4/30, 5/3): 20 minutes of sun can negatively affect your skin, contributing to skin cancer. Don’t forget sunscreen! Pickup on Roble Field at 3:30. Justification: The amended format is designed to make the player read the sunscreen reminder before the event information and to increase motivation by giving an informative fact about the dangers of excess sun exposure

6. Results Applied sunscreen Didn’t attend Didn’t apply sunscreen Name Sunscreen without reminder? Friday, 4/23 Saturday, 4/24 Friday, 4/30 Monday, 5/3 John No Naveed Yes Ethan No Kellen No Sean Yes Andrew No Brandon No

7. What Went Wrong? Ability: Other players feel the need for sunscreen but don’t have their own bottles at home (Why didn’t you apply sunscreen?) “I don’t have any!” - Ethan Motivation: Some players just don’t care enough apply sunscreen; there’s little we can do for them. “I tan well.” - Sean Timing: the season had just ended and the only events were informal pickup games “ I only attended for part of the time.” - John

8. What Worked? The Channel: The SMS event reminder received a positive response – texting is a great channel for teams with irregular schedules The Target Group: Sports teams spend lots of time in the sun and frequently use technology to organize events How has this service impacted your sunscreen habits? “ Increased basic consciousness of the issue.” – John “ It makes me feel more guilty.” – Ethan “ I will most definitely apply sunscreen before playing pickup Ultimate in the future.” - Kellen

9. Looking Forward: ULTIMATE SUN 2011 * Leave No Player Behind: As part of the program, we will distribute bottles of sunscreen to every team member – nobody will be incapable of applying sunscreen Quick Start: We will launch right at the beginning of the 2011 season to make Ultimate Sun a team staple * Hypothetical