Where Does the Water Go? Thermal Energy and the Water Cycle

Shared by A STEM Educator

6th GradeThinking Classroom45 min

Learning Objective

Students will be able to trace water through the water cycle, identify the thermal energy exchanges (absorption and release) at each phase change, and explain how latent heat transport connects evaporation, condensation, and precipitation to regional weather and drought patterns.

Lesson Overview

Students move from observing phase changes on glass surfaces to diagramming water cycle pathways, then quantify how latent heat transport drives weather systems — all through collaborative vertical-surface problem solving in a drought-forecasting context.

Materials

Vertical whiteboards or large chart paper
Dry-erase markers (multiple colors)
Random grouping cards or sticks
Two identical glasses — one filled with ice water, one with warm water (warm-up demo)
Paper towels
Printed water cycle diagram (blank, for consolidation notes)
Sticky notes
Timer

Scaffolded Task Progression

1Task 1

The city reservoir loses water every day even when no one is using it and there are no leaks. Using the word bank below, draw and label a simple diagram on your board showing at least THREE places water can go after it leaves the reservoir surface.

Word bank: evaporation, water vapor, atmosphere, clouds, precipitation, runoff

For each arrow you draw, write whether water is a LIQUID, GAS, or SOLID.

2Task 2

Same reservoir diagram — now add thermal energy to every arrow.

For each phase change you drew, write:
- 'Absorbs thermal energy' OR 'Releases thermal energy'
- ONE sentence explaining WHY.

Hint: Think about what you felt stepping out of the pool in the warm-up.

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