The sun is the primary source of excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is the cause of most skin cancers. Immediate adverse effects of excessive exposure are sunburn and eye damage; longer effects include premature aging of the skin and skin cancer.
Adopt Sun Safety Program
Sun Safety for Kids
Sample school and district policies; Educational videos for K-6; Shopping for shade structures, trees, and hats; Ideas for Don't Fry Day.
Be Safe in the Sun
American Cancer Society
A good overview of what too much sun exposure can do to your skin. You'll also find tips to help you protect yourself and your family from getting too much sun.
Enright Sun Safety Certification Programs
Enright Melanoma Foundation
Free, interactive online sun safety education courses for ages 5 and over with a Certificate of Completion at the end.
Guidelines for Schools to Prevent Skin Cancer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This report reviews scientific literature regarding the rates, trends, causes, and prevention of skin cancer and presents guidelines for schools to implement a comprehensive approach to preventing skin cancer.
Kids and Sun Safety
American Academy of Dermatology
Activities and fact sheets to help children understand the importance of staying safe in the sun.
Kids Guide to Self-Screening
Melanoma Research Foundation
The perfect guide for children to learn how to perform self-skin exams and make skin cancer prevention fun.
Project SAFETY
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Project S.A.F.E.T.Y. (Sun Awareness For Educating Today's Youth) is a science-based skin cancer awareness and prevention curriculum.
Rays Awareness: Preventing Skin Cancer Lesson
The Skin Cancer Foundation
Free skin cancer awareness lesson for grades 6-12. Duration is two class periods, 40 minutes each.
Shade Structure Program
American Academy of Dermatology
A grant program for shade structures.
Smart Sun Safety: Fun in the Sun 101
The Skin Cancer Foundation
Free online activities and downloadable materials for kids and teachers.
Sun Safety Resources for Schools
California Department of Public Health
Free sun safety resources for schools ranging from posters to activities.
Sun Smart America K-12 Curriculum
These resources promote the SunSmart America™ message and provide teachers with information and a range of classroom activities on skin cancer and sun protection.
SunAWARE for Schools
Children's Melanoma Prevention Foundation
The SunAWARE curriculum is designed for K-12 students and includes four distinct instructional levels. It encompasses lessons on the factors that affect UV intensity and skin sensitivity as well as proven methods of sun protection and skin cancer recognition. Free school resources including UV meters and info fliers are available.
SunGuard Man
Center for a Healthy Maryland
Free activities and resources for schools.
Sunscreen
The Skin Cancer Foundation
Want to know more about sunscreen? Get the information you need here.
SunSmart Australia
Cancer Council Victoria, Australia
Australia’s premier skin cancer prevention program has numerous resources for schools and children.
SunWise School Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Free sun safety resources and tool kit for K-8 schools. The tool kit contains more than 50 age-appropriate and cross-curricular activities that are aligned with national education standards.
SunWise with SHADE Poster Contest
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
A national sun safety poster contest for K-8th grade students.
Take a Stand, Don’t Tan
Melanoma Research Foundation
A free program for teens and college-age students.
Your Skin is in!
IMPACT Melanoma
The Your Skin Is In contest asks high school and college students to take a No-Tanning pledge prior to their proms and spring break.
