Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the concept of the water cycle and how it works in nature.

Materials and Prep

• 1 clear glass
• Water
• A small plate
• Marker
• Paper towel

No prior knowledge required. Just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm!

Activities

• Water Cycle Demonstration: Fill the glass with water and place the plate on top. Leave it in a sunny spot and observe what happens over the day.
• Cloud in a Jar: Fill the glass with hot water, cover it with a plate, and place ice on top. Watch as a cloud forms inside the glass.
• Raindrop Race: Use the marker to draw raindrops on a paper towel. Place it on a slope and watch as the raindrops "race" down.

Talking Points

• Water Cycle Explanation: "Water on Earth moves in a continuous cycle. It evaporates from oceans and lakes, forms clouds, and falls back to Earth as rain or snow."
• Evaporation: "When the sun heats up water, it turns into invisible water vapor that rises up into the sky."
• Condensation: "As the water vapor cools in the sky, it turns back into tiny water droplets that form clouds."
• Precipitation: "When the clouds get heavy with water, the water droplets fall back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail."
• Importance of the Water Cycle: "The water cycle is important because it helps provide fresh water for plants, animals, and people to survive."