Students begin with a clear hypothesis: higher SPF blocks more UV radiation. The sunscreen effectiveness lab sheet walks them through an eight-step procedure using UV color-changing beads distributed equally across four labeled containers, each treated with a different sunscreen SPF, plus one control with no sunscreen. After 15 minutes of sun exposure, bead color changes tell the story. A results table tracks SPF number and bead color for each container, and two analysis questions push grades 4-7 students to explain which sunscreen performed best and which performed worst before writing a data-based conclusion.

This lab fits naturally into a unit study on radiation, skin health, or the electromagnetic spectrum, and it works as a standalone lesson when you want hands-on data collection without complex setup. Completing the sheet demonstrates a student’s ability to design a controlled experiment, record observational data in a structured table, and draw conclusions supported by evidence rather than guessing.