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India's Disappearing Water

Primary Topic:

Societal Applications

Subtopics:

Satellites, Remote Sensing, Freshwater Resources, World Health

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS3.A, ESS3.C

Keywords:

hydrology, groundwater, water table, gravitational field, GRACE

Summary:

During the past decade, groundwater beneath the northern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan has decreased by more than 88 million acre-feet. Using NASA's twin GRACE satellites, scientists determined the rate of groundwater change in India.

NASA Earth Science: Water Cycle

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.

Freshwater Availability Classroom Activity

Graph showing the distribution of Earth's freshwater resources

Primary Topic:

Societal Applications

Subtopics:

Water & Life, Remote Sensing, Freshwater Resources, World Health

Type:

Lesson Plan

Audience:

Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, K - 5

Standards:

ESS3.A, ETS2.B

Keywords:

groundwater, glaciers, saline, blue marble

Summary:

This classroom activity (originally developed for the GPM Poster) will teach students about the value of Earth's freshwater resources and how important it is to study how water is transferred and stored.

Science for a Hungry World: Growing Water Problems

Primary Topic:

Societal Applications

Subtopics:

Type:

Audience:

Standards:

Keywords:

agriculture, freshwater, models

Summary:

One of the biggest changes to global agriculture is less about the food itself as it is about the water we use to grow it. In some areas, farmers are using freshwater resources - including groundwater - at an alarming rate.

Earth Observatory Water Cycle Overview

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Hydrologic Cycle, Water Properties, Societal Applications

Type:

Article

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, General

Standards:

ESS2.C

Keywords:

water vapor, freshwater, oceans, water distribution

Summary:

Water is a vital substance that sets the Earth apart from the rest of the planets in our solar system. In particular, water appears to be a necessary ingredient for the development and nourishment of life.

The Water Cycle - Animation

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS2.C

Keywords:

evaporation, condensation, groundwater, animations

Summary:

This animation shows the entire process of the water cycle throughout the course of a day.

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.

My NASA Data - A Map of Freshwater

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Weather, Climate, Freshwater Resources

Type:

Lesson Plan

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, General

Keywords:

freshwater, GRACE, watershed, hydrosphere

Summary:

This My NASA Data lesson plan takes students through data from the GRACE satellite mission to help them understand where regions around the globe may experience a change in their freshwater availability.