Skin Deep: The Story of Skin Colour (ATOM Study Guide)

The documentary explores how long-term scientific study has unlocked the mystery of the range of skin colour in humans. This is a 'science mystery' film that poses questions, offers answers and then moves deeper into the science to understand the widely accepted notions of skin colour as an indicator of human adaptation to different environments.

For centuries, skin colour was essentially considered as a marker of race; this program shows that many of our assumptions about skin colour are often too simple or wrong. The program is a fascinating and accessible scientific and sociological study, as colourful and absorbing as the variety of skin colours it investigates.

The background information and the fact sheet about skin (which appear later in this guide) are important for introducing the topic and summarizing some of the main areas investigated in the documentary. Teachers could select from the student activities in this guide, which move from understanding the science of skin to discussing its broader implications.

Curriculum guidelines

Skin Deep would be suitable for middle and secondary students of:

• Biology
• General Science
• SOSE/HSIE
• Health and Human Development
• Psychology