This visualization, from the US Geological Survey, provides a simple schematic of the various pathways that water can take as it cycles through ocean, lakes, atmosphere, surface and ground.
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
Middle School
Disciplinary Core Ideas: 3
MS-ESS2.C1: Water continually cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere via transpiration, evaporation, condensation and crystallization, and precipitation, as well as downhill flows on land.
MS-ESS2.C2: The complex patterns of the changes and the movement of water in the atmosphere, determined by winds, landforms, and ocean temperatures and currents, are major determinants of local weather patterns.
MS-ESS2.C3: Global movements of water and its changes in form are propelled by sunlight and gravity.
Cross Cutting Concepts: 1
Systems and System Models
MS-C4: Systems and System Models
High School
Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1
HS-ESS2.C1: The abundance of liquid water on Earth’s surface and its unique combination of physical and chemical properties are central to the planet’s dynamics. These properties include water’s exceptional capacity to absorb, store, and release large amounts of energy, transmit sunlight, expand upon freezing, dissolve and transport materials, and lower the viscosities and melting points of rocks.
Cross Cutting Concepts: 1
Systems and System Models
HS-C4: Systems and System Models
Climate Literacy
This Static Visualization builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- Educator should look at the links on the visualization page to see connections to climate change.
About the Science
- The visualization as a stand-alone does not connect to climate change. Educator must use other information at EPA climate change website to provide opportunities to make that connection. For example, the water resource impacts link at the top right brings the reader to a section that discusses the impact of climate change on regional water resources.
- Comment from expert scientist: The material does a very good job of explaining how the water cycle is already changing and the implications of such change. The water cycle graphic from USGCRP (2009) is very appropriate.
About the Pedagogy
- This visualization provides a comprehensive overview of the water cycle without adding a lot of potentially confusing details.
- It will work well as a focal diagram for a unit on the water cycle.
Technical Details/Ease of Use
- The diagram can be viewed online and saved from a web browser. Images in other formats and sizes are not available.
See how this Static Visualization supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
