Browse Hydrologic Cycle Resources

Browse Hydrologic Cycle Resources

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.

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.

Components of the Water Cycle on a Flat Map

Components of the Water Cycle on a Flat Map
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Earth Systems, Weather and Climate, Energy Cycle
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Outreach, Informal, Formal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C
Keywords: 
evaporation, sea surface temperature, water vapor, atmosphere
Summary: 
The process by which water moves around the earth, from the ocean, to the atmosphere, to the land and back to the ocean is called the water cycle. These animations each portray a component of the water cycle.

Components of the Water Cycle

Components of the water cycle thumb.
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Earth Systems, Energy Cycle
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Outreach, Informal, Formal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C
Keywords: 
evaporation, sea surface temperature, water vapor, atmosphere
Summary: 
The process by which water moves around the earth, from the ocean, to the atmosphere, to the land and back to the ocean is called the water cycle. These animations each portray a component of the water cycle.

GPM Anime Contest Webquest Part 1: Water Cycle

Photo of a drop of water rippling in a pond
Primary Topic: 
All Topics
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Water & Life
Type: 
Interactive
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C
Summary: 
Part 1 of a 4 part webquest that teaches the basics of precipitation science. Prepares students for the GPM Anime Contest.

GPM Water Cycle Droplet Handout

Front of GPM droplet handout
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Satellites, Freshwater Resources
Type: 
Image
Audience: 
Outreach, Formal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.C
Keywords: 
GPM Core Observatory, transpiration, evaporation, groundwater
Summary: 
Educational handout in the shape of a raindrop. The front shows a diagram of the water cycle, and the back has information about GPM and facts about water.

NASA Earth Science: Water Cycle

Diagram of the water cycle from NASA Earth Science
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Earth Systems
Type: 
Article
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C
Keywords: 
circulation, oceans, salinity, water vapor, groundwater
Summary: 
This article explains the basics behind the water cycle and includes many good visuals. It provides some good background information about our water cycle as well as providing students with many real-world applications.

Earth's Water Cycle

Screenshot from water cycle movie
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Weather and Climate
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Informal, 6 - 8, General
Standards: 
ESS2.C, ESS2.D, ETS2.A, ETS2.B
Keywords: 
freshwater, evaporation, condensation
Summary: 
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.

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