The Water Cycle and Water Pollution

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Earth and Space Sciences

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Hot Mess

Open Resource

What it is

This video from Hot Mess explores the impact of human activity on the water cycle.
Students will learn about topics including the hydrologic cycle, watersheds, water pollution, keystone species, impermeable surfaces, overfishing, and the tragedy of the commons.

Teaching tips

Positives

The video starts off with simpler concepts like the water cycle and water vapor but ends with more complex issues like dead zones and the tragedy of the commons.
It includes successful examples of progress with the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and the recovery of Atlantic Cod fisheries.

Prerequisites

Although the video explains basic water science concepts, students should still have an understanding of water vapor and the water cycle.

Differentiation & Implementation

The video is broken into timestamped chapters, so teachers can skip around depending on the subjects being covered.
Social studies and civics classes can use parts of this video for lessons about how to govern or protect freshwater and ocean ecosystems and resources for the good of all.
Other resources on this topic include The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes, Droughts, Floods, and Water Vapor - Oh My!, and Coloring Page: The Water Cycle.

From the scientist review

This resource is an 18-minute video that presents an overview of the water cycle and the impacts of humans on water quality and water resource availability. After presenting some of the basics of water resource science, this resource presents examples of human-caused pollution and other ways in which humans have altered the natural water cycle. This resource does not shy away from jargon but does an excellent job explaining terminology and making the topic approachable. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Format: YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Hot Mess
Authors: Hot Mess, PBS
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-ESS2-4. + 50 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-4.MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
MS-ESS3-4.MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.4CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
HS-ESS2-5.HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

New Jersey Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-4.MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
HS-ESS2-5.HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
SL.II.9-10.2SL.II.9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, qualitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
L.VL.7.3L.VL.7.3 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, including technical meanings, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Oregon Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

7.L.47.L.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
9-10.SL.29-10.SL.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
6.ESS2.46.ESS2.4 Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
HS.ESS2.5HS.ESS2.5 Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS.ESS3.1HS.ESS3.1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-4.MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
HS-ESS2-5.HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
L.7.2L.7.2 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in grade-level reading and content; use context clues, analyze meaningful word parts, consult general and specialized reference materials, and apply word-solving strategies (for meaning) as appropriate.
SL.9-10.2SL.9-10.2 Analyze and synthesize multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats to determine credibility and accuracy of each source.

Maine Climate Education Hub

Maine Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-4MS-ESS2-4 Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
HS-ESS2-5HS-ESS2-5 Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1HS-ESS3-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
L.6-8.4L.6-8.4 Use context clues, analyze meaningful word parts, and consult general and specialized reference materials as appropriate to determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases from grade level context.
SL.9-12.2SL.9-12.2 Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.

New York Climate Education Hub

New York Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-4.MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the Sun and the force of gravity.
HS-ESS2-5.HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
7L4:7L4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
9-10SL2:9-10SL2: Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats (e.g., including visual, quantitative, and oral), evaluating the credibility, accuracy, and relevance of each source.

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.4CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
MS-ESS2-4.MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
MS-ESS3-4.MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.
HS-ESS2-5.HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-4.MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
HS-ESS2-5.HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-4MS-ESS2-4 Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
HS-ESS2-5HS-ESS2-5 Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1HS-ESS3-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
SL.9-10.2.SL.9-10.2. Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
L.7.4.L.7.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Illinois Climate Education

Illinois Climate Education Standards legacy

SL.9-10.2.SL.9-10.2. Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
L.7.4.L.7.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
MS-ESS2-4.MS-ESS2-4. Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
MS-ESS3-4.MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.
HS-ESS2-5.HS-ESS2-5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

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