| Keyword |
Description |
| Cistern |
A large tank that stores water for homes or buildings |
| Sensor |
A tiny tool that measures things like temperature or pH |
| Turbidity |
How cloudy water looks |
TlalocBox is a small, sealed box that checks if cistern water is clean in real time so people can spot problems quickly. It was built by two students at Mexico’s National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) in UPIITA. Inside are three sensors that measure temperature, pH, and turbidity, which is how cloudy the water looks. The sealed design keeps leaks from hurting the electronics, so the box can work safely near pumps and tanks. The goal is to catch dirty water fast to protect health and nature.
A digital brain gathers the sensor data and uses the internet to send tiny messages. A simple traffic light shows green for acceptable water, yellow for average, and red for high contamination. With quick alerts, neighborhoods and schools can act sooner than waiting days for lab tests. The box is named after Tláloc, the Aztec rain god, and it runs on a portable rechargeable battery to work in many places. Instead of waiting for samples and lab reports, people can see results right away.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Student |
Estudiante |
| To protect |
Proteger |
| Lab tests |
Pruebas de laboratorio |
Time to discuss
- What problem does TlalocBox help solve?
- Why is information about water levels helpful?
- What sort of problems might occur if there is not enough clean water?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- If you were creating your own TlálocBox, how would you do it and what would you use?
- Describe how your school could use TlalocBox to stay safe.
