Whether it is a drizzle or a downpour, rain is fascinating because it shows us the earth’s water cycle in action. No new water has been created and very little water has been lost since our “blue planet” was formed. People, plants, and all living things need water to live.
How does the water cycle work? When the sun heats the water on land it evaporates and rises into the air to form clouds. In them, the water vapor turns into water droplets in a process called condensation. When the clouds are full and heavy with moisture, water droplets fall from the clouds, as either rain or snow. This is called precipitation. The water cycle never stops. Water takes an endless journey, up, down, and around the planet.
Next time rain is in the forecast, grab your boots and umbrella and be ready to jump in a puddle and celebrate the water cycle!
Visit the Museum’s Facebook page today at noon for Storytime: Guess & Go! to hear a story about rain and a Native American Lenape tale of how the weather changed the appearance of an animal we often see in our neighborhoods in New Jersey.
Resources:
- Listen to the story, The Rain Came Down, by David Shannon.
- Visit at the American Museum of Natural History’s website learn about water in Water: H20 = Life and explore additional education materials for age levels K-4, 5-8, and 9-12.
Topic: Weather Watcher
Age / Level: Primary, Elementary