Answers: You Shall Not Pass! Or, Will You? But How?

Last week Ms. Hoffman asked you to come up with a solution about how two trains should pass each other! Did you find it?

Here is what they really do in Battambang, Cambodia!

They have a quick way to take the trains apart and take them off the tracks. The train that has the most people or things on it gets the right of way, and the other one must get off the track and wait!

Pretty clever huh?

You Shall Not Pass! Or, You Will... But How?

Ms. Hoffman visited the country Cambodia during her travels. She got to ride on a train, which was a lot of fun!

The trains are very small in this part of the country and they used to be used to carry goods to market. Many farmers had these small trains and they would take their goods in to the town to sell them and then back to their farm at the end of the day.

There is one problem though. There is only one track! What happens when two trains are going the opposite way?

Answer: Clean Water and Traveling Around the World

Last week, Ms. Hoffman asked you for help in figuring out how to find clean drinking water without having to contribute to pollution with a lot of plastic water bottles. Did you come up with any ideas?

Luckily, Ms. Hoffman has found a good answer that works well for her while she is traveling. She uses a tool called a Steripen.



This tool uses something called ultraviolet, or UV, light to sterilize water. Have you heard of ultraviolet light before? The sun gives off UV light and it can sometimes be bad - it is what causes you to get a sunburn. But, it also can kill off bacteria and viruses. The bacteria and viruses are the things that can make you sick!

This has been a great tool for Ms. Hoffman.

Clean Water and Traveling Around the World

Last week, Ms. Hoffman asked you to learn a little bit more about clean drinking water around the world. This week she will tell you a little bit more about how she finds clean water no matter where she goes.

In many countries, the water that comes out of the sink is not always clean for drinking. Sometimes it has germs and bacteria in it that can make people sick. Here is an article to help you learn more. 



Ms. Hoffman definitely does not want to get sick while she is traveling so she had to find clean water. Some people think that the only answer is to buy bottled water. But plastic bottles can be very bad for the environment. Read about why here.

So, what should Ms. Hoffman do??? Do some research about how to find or make clean drinking water. Write some ideas in the comments!

Earth Day ideas: Water Around the World

Teachers: this website offers a lot of information about water around the world and some activities you could do with your students.

http://www.kidsgoglobal.net/the-issues/water

Clean Drinking Water Around the World

Think about water for a minute. Is water important? Why?



Read some of these random facts about water. Did you know all of that? Ms. Hoffman is guessing that maybe you didn't take the time to read all of the bullet points on that website so she pulled out two that she really wants you to think about.

• Most people around the world have access to clean drinking water but it is a major problem in poorer areas of the world. Water pollution and low quality water can lead to dangerous bacteria, disease and viruses such as E coli and Cryptosporidium.
• Drinking water is needed for humans to avoid dehydration, the amount you need each day depends on the temperature, how much activity you are involved in and other factors.

Did you know that there are a lot of places that don't have access to clean drinking water? What do you think happens to people who don't have clean drinking water?



Here is more Information about clean water around the world. Some of that information is pretty sad and scary isn't it?

Want to learn more or know how you can help? This website will give you a lot of information. Learn more.

No Worries

When Ms. Hoffman was traveling in Bali, she meet a cool person. This man said something that she really liked and will remember. It was a saying. Do you know what a saying is?

It is a short expression that gives advice or wisdom. A lot of people like to share sayings on Facebook! You've probably seen them there before.



The saying that Ms. Hoffman learned was this:

Everyone has the same worries like money and food. So don't worry about those. Instead just worry about working hard and always doing your best.

What do you think of this saying? Do you like it? Why or why not? Discuss with a friend or write a short essay with your opinion!