The Wonder of Water: From Raindrops to Oceans

Water is everywhere, from the tiny drops in your faucet to the vast oceans! In this mission, we'll explore how water moves and changes, just like in our "Wonder of Water" episode.

The Big Question

How does water travel and change its form?

What You'll Need

• A clear glass or jar
• Water
• Food coloring (optional)
• A shallow dish or plate
• A spoon

Mission Steps

1. Start the Flow. Fill the clear glass or jar about halfway with water. Add a drop of food coloring if you like, to make the water easier to see.
2. Create a Lake. Carefully pour the colored water into the shallow dish or plate. This is your "ocean" or "lake"!
3. Evaporation Observation. Leave the dish of water out in a warm, sunny spot (or near a heat vent if it's cold). Check on it every few hours and the next day. What do you notice happening to the water level?
4. Condensation Catch. Go back to the glass of water. If you can, place it in a cool spot or add a few ice cubes to the water. What forms on the outside of the glass?

Talk About It

• What happened to the water you poured into the dish? Where did it go?
• What did you see forming on the outside of the cold glass?
• How do these changes in the dish and the glass show how water moves and changes?

Take It Further

For older rangers, try covering the dish of water with plastic wrap and securing it with a rubber band. Place a small weight in the center of the plastic wrap so it dips slightly. Over time, you might see tiny "raindrops" form on the underside of the plastic wrap and drip back into the dish, mimicking the water cycle!

FAQ

Q: My water didn't disappear from the dish. A: Evaporation can be slow! Make sure the dish is in a warm, sunny place and give it plenty of time to work. Sometimes it takes a full day. Q: Why does water appear on the outside of the cold glass? A: That's condensation! Water vapor in the air cools down when it touches the cold glass and turns back into liquid water.