University of Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: A Summary of the Hydrologic Cycle
Animation and text explain the water--or hydrologic--cycle, which is the process that water undergoes in nature.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Rain Erosion: Does the Rate of Water Effect Erosion?
In this lab, students investigate whether the rate of water falling (rain) affects the amount of erosion (soil movement). This experiment could lead to further questions: how does grass or rocks effect soil erosion, does erosion lead to...
Open Door Team
Open Door Web Site: Feeding in Green Plants
Learn how plants absorb water through either root systems or vessels in their stems with this site. Also understand how important water is to the make up of the plant!
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Earth's Water Movements
The paths that water can take through Earth's systems are many and complex. Examine the following diagram from NASA depicting the water cycle. Studying the water cycle is important because changes in the water cycle affect all parts of...
US Geological Survey
Usgs: The Water Cycle
Learn about the movement of water from Earth's surface to the atmosphere with this site. Site describes the water cycle in words and with a diagram. Also explored on the page is the distribution of Earth's global water supply.
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Color Changing Carnations
A popular plant experiment where food coloring is added to the water that flowers sit in, to see how this affects the color of the flowers. It demonstrates how water travels through the xylem of a flower stem.
University of Victoria (Canada)
Weather Watch: Water Cycle
Excellent discussion and illustration of the water cycle.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Planting Thoughts
Young scholars gain an understanding of the parts of a plant, plant types and how they produce their own food from sunlight through photosynthesis. They also learn about transpiration, the process by which plants release moisture to the...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Photosynthesis
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the role of leaves in photosynthesis.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Water Cycle
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers the water cycle.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Processes of the Water Cycle
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the water cycle.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Processes of the Water Cycle
Understand the water cycle.[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.]
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: Water Cycle
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Water and elements like carbon and nitrogen are constantly being recycled through the environment. This process is called a biogeochemical cycle because it involves...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Weather and Climate: Water Cycle
Water water everywhere. Check out this video clip and test understanding about the cycle of water from the earth to the atmosphere.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Air [Pdf]
A lesson unit where students work in small groups to examine stomata on a leaf's upper and lower surfaces. They then conduct an experiment to test whether plants can survive without air, learning about transpiration in the process.
University of Victoria (Canada)
Weather Watch: Water Cycle
Excellent discussion and illustration of the water cycle. Explained in an easy to understand format.
National Health Museum
Access Excellence: Determining Transpiration From a Schoolyard Tree
A good project to link math skills with ecology. Hands-on activies help students understand the role of trees in ecosystems.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: The Water Cycle
This site provides a comprehensive introduction to the water cycle. Students construct a model to simulate parts of the water cycle. Includes background information, links to standards, lesson plans, and assessment ideas.
abcteach
Abcteach: Science: Plants
[Free Registration/Login Required] Generate comparison charts, crosswords, and journals for recording data on plants and plants processes. One can also find lesson plans and plant experiments, as well as flower and tree resources.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: The Water Cycle
Water can be in the atmosphere, on the land, in the ocean, and underground. It moves from place to place through the water cycle.
Center for Educational Technologies
Earth Science Explorer: The Water Cycle
This is a very brief overview of the water cycle, but it does have a nice graphical representation.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fifth Grade Science: Earth Science: Water on Earth
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses water and where it occurs on Earth, gives an overview of the water cycle, and explains how the ocean is an integral part of the water cycle and is...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Processes of the Water Cycle Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about the water cycle. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
Success Link
Success Link: Water Cycle
A lesson plan to show young scholars' understanding of the water cycle through illustrations, and their ability to write creatively about it.