Under the Utah Sun: how Weber State's UV Crew is Fighting Utah's High Melanoma Rates

From color-changing UV bracelets to 1,500 free sunscreen samples, WSU students are taking skin cancer prevention into the community.

The Mission

A growing collection of Weber State University students is working to promote sun safety across campus and throughout the community. Led by Assistant Professor Gennie Parkman, UV Crew is working to become an official club, expanding opportunities for funding and partnerships as the group continues its mission to educate Utahns about skin cancer prevention. 

With 16 active members, UV Crew is focused on raising awareness of the importance of sun-safe practices, such as wearing sunscreen and UV-protective clothing. The students are working to reduce the risk of skin cancer through education and community engagement. 

UV Crew’s mission is fueled by the fact that local environmental conditions increase the risk of sun-related harm. “Utah has the highest rate of melanoma in the nation, driven by various factors, including high elevation and high UV exposure,” Parkman said. 

Promoting Sun-Safety at Lagoon

The UV Crew showed up to promote that mission for their recent Sun-Safety Day at Lagoon, where many park visitors stopped by the group’s booth. Parkman and the students distributed over 1,500 sunscreen samples donated by local dermatologists, water bottles, and sunglasses. 

A favorite for booth visitors was the bracelets made from over 60,000 UV-sensitive beads. The bracelets appeared white in the shade, and became colorful when exposed to the sunlight, giving families a fun way to see UV rays in action. 

The event was made possible by generous donations and grant funding. UV Crew was the recipient of funding from the Sustainability Teaching Application Research (STAR) grant and funds from the Weber State Student Senate. These funds allowed the team to purchase supplies such as beads and face paint and to expand outreach. Donations from local dermatology offices enabled the crew to provide families with free skin protection while visiting the park. 

UV Crew Looks Ahead

As the UV crew prepares to officially become a Weber State club, members hope to create more opportunities for students to engage in impactful community service. Joining the crew will allow members to build lasting relationships with fellow Wildcats and the community, while sharing evidence-based information about sun safety and skin cancer prevention.

Members will gain meaningful experience in science communication while expanding on teamwork skills through hands-on outreach opportunities that prepare them for careers in science and health-related fields. 

For Parkman and the students, each event is an opportunity to educate the community about sun protection and start conversations that leave lasting impressions. Through sun-safety education and community outreach, the UV Crew hopes to help empower individuals to make choices that protect their health and reduce the risk of cancer.

Interested in joining the crew? 

Follow the UV Crew on Instagram for updates, events, and opportunities to get involved.

Read more about the club's effort in the recent WSU News article.