Sunsmart Sunscreen Experimenting

Thanks to the sun for coming out today because we could do some UVR (UltraViolet Rays) / SPF (Sun Protection Factor) testing.

We had two ways we could test the big variety of sunscreens sent in (thanks families). Firstly we had some handy UV meter watches which changed colour depending on how much UVR was coming down on us. We put our sunscreen over 1/2 of the watches to see what difference it made in colour to each side. This helped us to come to a few handy conclusions:

"The sunscreen blocked most but not all of the UVR."

"It does change colour but goes right back to purple when you take the sunscreen away."

Landon and Lorenzo checking out the UV watch

Lucy testing the sunscreen on the watch

We found out this was a really effective brand of sunscreen. It blocked more UV than the others in our tests.

 After using the watches we tried out the electronic UV meter that Connor and his father built. This amazed us! When the sensor was in the full sun it read between 1200-1400 units. When we held the sunscreen over it, the reading changed to between 200-300 units. 

"Wow! What a difference!"

With the technology we have we didn't notice much difference between the different SPF factors in the sunscreen. The biggest difference was when we put a hat over the sensor. Then it read only 1 unit! We think this means hats give us great protection.