‘Iolani School received the 2007 SHADE Foundation Sun Safe School of the Year national award during a ceremony on September 14 in the school’s St. Alban’s Chapel. SHADE and Blue Lizard Sunscreen also presented ‘Iolani with a $2,000 grant for continuing sun safety education.
In 2000, ‘Iolani became the first school in Hawaii to implement formal sun safety education for students. In the elementary grades, students learn in science classes about ultra violet (UV) light, ozone and optimal sun protection measures. They are treated to a scientific approach to making sunscreen with hot plates, beakers, thermometers and active ingredients such as zinc oxide.
The program was spearheaded by past president of the Hawaii Dermatological Society Dr. Carla Nip-Sakamoto and Crown Laboratories CEO Jeff Bedard, and is now implemented by ‘Iolani science teachers Laurie White and Ellen Gaylor. Crown Laboratories manufactures Blue Lizard Sunscreen.
In addition to classroom education, ‘Iolani promotes sun safety by encouraging the wearing of sunscreen and sun protective hats during outdoor physical education sessions. To further enhance sun safety at the school Iolani recently completed construction of the One Team Field House that provides a sun protected play area.
Headquartered in Arizona, the SHADE Foundation was founded by Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and his wife Shonda who is a melanoma survivor. SHADE is dedicated to eradicating melanoma through the education of children and the community in the prevention and detection of skin cancer and the promotion of sun safety. SHADE executive director Sue Gorman will present the award to ‘Iolani.
Following the award presentation and reception, educators observed a classroom session on sun safety education for kindergartners and fourth graders.
Crown Laboratories and the SHADE Foundation are also producing a teaching kit and educational DVD that features ‘Iolani’s sun safety program to be distributed nationwide.
