Year level: Lower primary / Middle primary Learning outcome Students learn how a simple solution of sugar and salt helps overcome dehydration and possible death from diarrhoea. List the things we do to stop getting sick after going to the toilet. Discuss: How do we learn about washing our hands after going to the toilet in order to stay healthy? What causes diarrhoea? What do you do if you have diarrhoea? What might happen if you could not visit a doctor or obtain medicine? What is dehydration? Why is diarrhea so dangerous for young children? Mix 8 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt mixed into a litre of water. (This is known as Oral Rehydration Therapy which is used to help people suffering from diarrhoea to recover. There is a useful graphic at http://rehydrate.org/solutions/homemade.htm#recipes ) Taste this and discuss how it is a simple solution to addressing dehydration from diarrhoea. To assist understanding about the process of osmosis put a drop of water on a paper towel and watch it spread across the paper. Another method is to put some dye in a glass of water with a freshly cut flower in it. Watch the dye move up the stem. Assessment task Create a flow chart outlining how to make Oral Rehydration Solution and how it can save lives.