The UK's 15 year old scientist - 24th July 2023

A 15 year old has become the UK's youngest scientist. Kaycee Deery's created sunscreen that isn't harmful to the environment. She's won the UK Young Scientist of the Year award for her invention.

Deery made her own UVA light box to test natural oils. She wanted to find out if they could protect us from harmful sun rays. The oils that she tested had sun protection factors of between SPF9 and SPF34.

UVA light causes our skin to age, while UVB light burns our skin. This also increases the possibility of getting skin cancer.

Deery wants to protect our skin health and sea life. The teenage scientist had read about how harmful chemicals in sunscreens damage fish and sea life. They can stop fish reproducing and they destroy coral reefs. Deery wanted to find a solution to this problem.

In the USA, skin cancer's increasing, and normal sunscreen is the usual option to stop skin damage from the sun. But scientists say there are other ways to protect your skin from sun damage. You can cover the skin with clothes and stay in the shade, out of the sun.

Deery's science teacher is proud of her. She wants girls to go for success and find solutions to problems.