Australian Journal of Teacher Education - Volume 46 - Issue 3 - Article 4 - Targeted Teacher Education to Improve Primary Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge and Understanding of UV and Effective Sun Protection Measures for Children

Oct 15, 2026

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Teachers have a critical duty to protect children during peak ultraviolet (UV) periods, making teacher UV knowledge and understanding essential for effective sun protection at school. This pilot study examined how a short intervention affected preservice teachers’ sun-protective behaviours, knowledge, and perceived ability to teach sun safety. Following the 45-minute intervention (n=161), participants reported greater awareness of UV dangers and skin-cancer risk, improved knowledge of sun protection importance, and increased perceived skill for delivering sun-safety teaching.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Rationale for sun-safety education

Role of primary schools and teachers

Cost-effectiveness and long-term behaviour impacts

Australian Journal of Teacher Education | Volume 46 Issue 3 | Article 4 | | --- | --- | | 2021
Targeted Teacher Education to Improve Primary Preservice Teachers’Knowledge and Understanding of UV and Effective Sun Protection Measures for Children
Joseph J. Scott
University of Sunshine Coast
Robyn S. Johnston Telethon Kids Institute
Natasha Bear
Natasha Bear Statistics
Sonia Gregory
Natasha Bear Statistics
Sally Blane
Cancer Council Western Australia
Mark Strickland
Cancer Council Western Australia
See next page for additional authors
Follow this and additional works at: [https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte](https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte)
Part of the Elementary Education Commons, Elementary Education and Teaching Commons, Health and Physical Education Commons, Higher Education Commons, and the Public Health Education and Promotion Commons | | Recommended Citation Scott, J. J., Johnston, R. S., Bear, N., Gregory, S., Blane, S., Strickland, M., Darby, J., & Gray, E. S. (2021) . Targeted Teacher Education to Improve Primary Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge and Understanding of UV and Effective Sun Protection Measures for Children. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 46(3) . [http://dx.doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2021v46n3.4](http://dx.doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2021v46n3.4) [This Journal Article is posted at Research Online.](This Journal Article is posted at Research Online.)[ ](This Journal Article is posted at Research Online.)[https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol46/iss3/4](https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol46/iss3/4) Targeted Teacher Education to Improve Primary Preservice Teachers’Knowledge and Understanding of UV and Effective Sun Protection Measures for Children Authors Joseph J. Scott, Robyn S. Johnston, Natasha Bear, Sonia Gregory, Sally Blane, Mark Strickland, Jill Darby, and Elin S. Gray This journal article is available in Australian Journal of Teacher Education: [https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol46/iss3/4](https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol46/iss3/4) Targeted Teacher Education to Improve Primary Preservice Teachers’Knowledge and Understanding of UV and Effective Sun Protection Measures for Children Joseph J. Scott University of Sunshine Coast Robyn S. Johnston Telethon Kids Institute Edith Cowan University Natasha Bear Sonia Gregory Natasha Bear Statistics Sally Blane Mark Strickland Cancer Council Western Australia Jill Darby Elin Gray Edith Cowan University Abstract: Teachers are responsible for children at school during peak ultraviolet (UV) times of the day. It is paramount that teachers have knowledge and understanding of UV to effectively protect themselves and their students. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of a short intervention on preservice teachers’ sun protective behaviours, knowledge and perceived skill to teach sun safety. Participants (n =161; median age=20 years) attended a 45-minute preservice teacher sun safety intervention and completedpre-and post-test surveys. Post-intervention, most participants indicated they felt: i) more informed about the dangers of UV and risks of developing skin cancer (93.3%); ii) more knowledgeable about the importance of sun protection (92%); and iii) more skilled to teach sun safety (87.4%). Our findings indicate that the targeted preservice teacher sun safety education intervention improved understandings of UV, effective sun-protective practices, and their perceived skills to teach sun safety. Introduction The prevention of skin cancer is a public health priority globally due to its high economic and social cost. In the United States (U. S.) alone the associated annual heath care costs are estimated at over 7 billion (USD) (Guy et al., 2015) . In 2019, the American Institute for Cancer Research noted Australia as having the highest rate of skin cancer in the world (American Institute of Cancer Research [AICR], 2019) with the associated health burden costing over $900 million

FAQs

What problem does the study address?

The study addresses the need for teachers to understand ultraviolet (UV) risks and sun-protective measures so they can protect themselves and their students during peak UV times.

What was the aim of the pilot intervention?

The aim was to investigate the effect of a short intervention on preservice teachers’ sun-protective behaviours, UV-related knowledge, and perceived skill to teach sun safety.

What outcomes did participants report after the intervention?

After the 45-minute intervention, most participants reported feeling more informed about UV dangers and skin-cancer risk, more knowledgeable about the importance of sun protection, and more skilled to teach sun safety.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Franzy