Browse Water Cycle Resources

Browse Water Cycle Resources

Global Energy Budget

Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Earth Systems, Climate, Energy Cycle
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Formal, 6 - 8
Standards: 
ESS2.D
Keywords: 
energy budget, albedo, reflection, absorption, radiation, unequal heating
Summary: 
In this lesson, students will explore (through labs, videos, and a simulation) how energy from the sun is absorbed, reflected and radiated back out into space as part of the Earth’s energy budget.

Water in the Atmosphere

Photo of clouds in the atmosphere.
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Earth Systems
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C
Keywords: 
atmosphere, clouds, rainfall, humidity
Summary: 
This lesson helps students learn about the atmosphere by making observations and taking measurements.

Our Wet Wide World (GPM Overview)

Wet Wide World Thumbnail
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Water & Life, Weather and Climate, Satellites, Societal Applications
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Outreach, Informal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.A
Keywords: 
GPM Core Observatory, GPM Constellation, Goddard Space Flight Center
Summary: 
This video, "Our Wet Wide World", provides an overview of the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission and its goals.

For Good Measure

Thumbnail for "For Good Measure" showing Ryan in front of makeshift waves.
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Water & Life, Satellites, Remote Sensing, Societal Applications
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Outreach, Informal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.A
Keywords: 
rain gauges, global, constellation
Summary: 
The short video, 'For Good Measure' explains why scientists turn to satellites to get a worldwide view of rainfall.

The Water Cycle - Featuring Molecule Man!

Thumbnail for "The Water Cycle"
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Satellites
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Informal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C, ESS2.D
Keywords: 
evaporation, transpiration, condensation, satellite constellation
Summary: 
This video (4:56) uses a combination of cartoon characters, a scientist, and a series of different Earth-observing satellites with data animations to teach the various parts of the water cycle.

Water Cycle Webquest

Water Cycle diagram
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Water & Life
Type: 
Interactive
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C
Summary: 
In this webquest, you will learn a little about the GPM mission, and then will focus on the Earth’s water cycle.

Sea Surface Temperature, Salinity and Density

Sea Surface Temperature, Salinity and Density
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Water Properties, Earth Systems, Technology, Remote Sensing, Data
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.C
Keywords: 
sea surface temperature, salinity, density, ocean circulation
Summary: 
The animations in this group show the long-term average sea surface temperature, the long term average sea surface salinity, and the the long term average sea surface density.

The Thermohaline Circulation - The Great Ocean Conveyor Belt

The Thermohaline Circulation - The Great Ocean Conveyor Belt
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Water Properties, Earth Systems, Energy Cycle
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8
Standards: 
ESS2.C
Keywords: 
ocean, density, salinity, ocean temperature, ocean circulation, thermohaline, ocean currents
Summary: 
The oceans are mostly composed of warm salty water near the surface over cold, less salty water in the ocean depths. These two regions don't mix except in certain special areas, which creates a large slow current called the thermohaline circulation.

NASA Scientists Research Global Precipitation

NASA Scientists Research Global Precipitation
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Precipitation, Climate, Remote Sensing, Data
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Outreach, Informal, Formal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.C, ETS2.A
Keywords: 
infrared, microwave, circulation, climatology, GPCP
Summary: 
This animation of global precipitation from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) cycles through climatology data for each month of the year and then repeats the cycle twice.

Aquarius Ocean Circulation

Aquarius Ocean Circulation
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Water Properties, Weather and Climate, Climate, Satellites, Remote Sensing
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.D, ESS3.D
Keywords: 
ocean currents, density, energy cycle, salinity, ocean temperature, climate change, wind
Summary: 
Ocean circulation plays a key role in distributing solar energy and maintaining climate, by moving heat from Earth's equator to the poles. Aquarius salinity data, combined with data from other sensors, will give us a clearer picture of how the ocean works

Pages