Search

This animation uses Earth science data from a variety of sensors on NASA Earth observing satellites as well as cartoons to describe Earth's water cycle and the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

The Water Cycle: Watering the Land

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Weather, Energy Cycle

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.C

Keywords:

energy cycle, energy budget, radiation budget, water cycle, ocean, atmosphere, water vapor, condensation, clouds

Summary:

Explore how water droplets form and fall from the sky in part three of the water cycle series. Watch how water vapor moves through the atmosphere and returns to Earth as rain and snow.

Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

Imagery of climate change including wildfires, dry land, and a hurricane from space

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Climate, Human Impact, Societal Applications

Type:

Website

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, Formal

Keywords:

climate change, greenhouse gases, sea level

Standards:

ESS3.C, ESS3.D

Summary:

View the latest data on the vital signs of the planet, including arctic sea ice levels, carbon dioxide, sea levels, global temperature and land ice.

Real World: JASON-2

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Climate, Human Impact, Technology, Satellites, Floods

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.D, ESS3.D, ETS2.A

Keywords:

oceans, El Nino, La Nina, sea level

Summary:

Learn how the satellite, Jason 2, is able to use radar waves to determine the height of sea levels and evaluate the effects of global warming.

Building for Hurricanes: Engineering Design Challenge

Primary Topic:

Societal Applications

Subtopics:

Weather, Tropical Cyclones

Type:

Interactive

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, K - 5

Standards:

ETS2.B

Keywords:

engineering, hurricane damage, natural disasters

Summary:

In this engineering design challenge, students build a tower to resist a simulated hurricane.

Water Cycle Speaker's Toolkit

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Water & Life, Weather and Climate

Type:

Lesson Plan

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5

Standards:

ESS2.A

Keywords:

rain, snow, evaporation, condensation

Summary:

This Speaker ToolKit has been designed to allow presenters (scientists, engineers, etc.) to easily present to an elementary and/or middle school audience about the water cycle.

Living in a Freshwater World

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Precipitation, Water & Life, Weather, Climate, Tropical Cyclones, Floods, World Health

Type:

Interactive

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS3.A, ETS2.A

Summary:

This interactive lesson will allow you to explore Earth’s freshwater resources. You will learn how NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission is helping us better understand our most valuable natural resource.