Activity

Water in nature

The water cycle happens all around us. Changes in the state of water and the water cycle are driven by the Sun’s energy. There is no new water in the system: water in the water cycle has been cycling around the Earth for millions of years. We are interacting with the same water molecules that have existed since prehistoric times!

Diagram of the Earth's water cycle system.

The water cycle

The time it takes for water to move through the Earth’s system can vary greatly, but it means that water is continuously recycled, maintaining the conditions for life on Earth and producing weather around the world.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

This activity is part of a suite of resources that support Smart Water – a context for learning, which provides students and teachers with opportunities to connect with water and learn more about drinking water in the Waikato region. The science and mātauranga concepts that underpin Smart Water are transferable to other locations in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In this activity, students learn about the states of water that exist in nature as well as the processes that are part of the water cycle.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • discuss where water can be found in nature and how it changes state

  • explain the main processes of the water cycle.

Download the Word file (see link below).

Published: 11 May 2022,Updated: 11 May 2022