LAB · ALL AGES (1–8)

💧 Hydration and Clean Water

Test cognitive and physical tasks under different hydration levels. See how clean-water access shapes performance and health equity.

Progress: 0 / 4 stages complete

How to do this lab — read me first!

1.Take the pre-quiz below. Type your answer into the box for each question — it's okay if you're not sure! This shows what you already know. Spelling doesn't have to be perfect, and CAPS or lowercase both work the same.
2.Read the lab sections below the quiz — they explain the science in plain words. Tap "Go deeper" on any card for extra info.
3.Work through each lab module by tapping the bubbles near the top. Read it, then press "Mark module complete" to unlock the next one.
4.Do the hands-on sorting activity — use the up/down arrows to put the items in the right order, then press Check my order.
5.Take the post-quiz. It unlocks after you finish everything above. Type your answers in — short answers are fine, just write the main idea.
6.Sign in to save your scores and earn a badge. No account? You can still explore the whole lab.

💡 Stuck on a question? Scroll back and re-read the section about it, then return and try again. There's no time limit!

📝 Pre-quiz — what do you already know?

✏️ Type your answer in the box. Spelling close enough is OK — UPPER or lower case both work.

1. Hydration means:

2. Dehydration causes:

3. Water is essential for:

4. Sugary drinks:

5. Body needs water for:

6. Hydration affects:

7. Clean water access is:

8. Dehydration reduces:

9. Water helps:

10. Best drink is:

Simulation overview

Students simulate physical and cognitive tasks under varying hydration levels. The avatar experiences changes in energy, focus, and endurance based on water intake. The simulation compares clean water access versus sugary drink consumption. Students observe dehydration effects on performance. The lab introduces public health implications of water access inequality. It reinforces hydration as a foundational health factor.

Lab modules

Work through each module in order. Mark each one complete to unlock the post-quiz.

Why water matters in your body

Your body is ~60% water. Every cell, every reaction, every thought relies on it. Even small drops cause real performance loss.

Water’s jobs

· Carries nutrients in blood
· Cushions joints and brain
· Regulates body temperature via sweat
· Moves waste out (kidneys, sweat, breath)
· Helps cells make energy

Dehydration thresholds

Even 1–2% body water loss measurably slows reaction time, mood, and concentration. 5% = serious — headaches, dizziness. 10% = medical emergency. Most kids walk around chronically at 1–3% deficit and don’t know it.

Sugary drinks

Soda, sports drinks, juice: high sugar (10+ tsp per can), often add caffeine, can actually dehydrate slightly. Energy drinks add risky stimulants. Water is the only universal answer.

Plain water needs

Rough rule: ~6–8 cups/day for elementary, 8–11 cups for middle school, more on hot or active days. Color of urine = simple gauge (pale yellow = good, dark = need water).

Key takeaways from this module

2% dehydration measurably hurts performance.
Sugary drinks ≠ hydration; often hurt it.
Urine color is your gauge.
Sports drinks are for long, intense activity — not lunch.

🥤 Sugar Counter

Tap to add what you'd drink in a day. The American Heart Association recommends ≤ 25g added sugar per day for kids.

Water (20 oz)

0g sugar

Milk (1 cup)

12g sugar

Orange juice (8 oz)

22g sugar

Sports drink (20 oz)

34g sugar

Cola (20 oz)

65g sugar

Sweet tea (16 oz)

32g sugar

Energy drink (16 oz)

54g sugar

0g sugar today

≈ 0.0 teaspoons · daily limit ~25g

Hands-on activity: Hydration through your day

Order an athlete's hydration plan around a workout.

1.Wake-up glass of water
2.Post-workout (replace + electrolytes)
3.Pre-workout (~500ml, 2h before)
4.During workout (small sips)
5.Evening — taper to avoid waking
6.Steady sips through morning

Post-quiz locked

Finish all 4 lab modules (0/4 done). Complete the hands-on activity above.