1. Structures of the Hydrosphere VIRTUAL ACTIVITY
Work through each of the activities on the following slides. Look carefully at the websites you go to and try out all of the activities.
* Write out and answer all orange questions. *
P. McAven
8th Grade Science
Riverwood Middle School

2. Think About It 
Where does our drinking water come from? How does it get here?
What are some ways people can enjoy the features of a watershed?
What might happen if the boundary between two countries runs through one watershed?
Now, let’s get started. Follow the links and complete the activities. Don’t forget to write out and answer your orange questions.

3. The Blue Planet Visit: http://www.discoverwater.org/blue-planet/
Complete:
Blue Planet Activity
What did I learn?

4. 1. Why is Earth called the blue planet?

5. The Water Cycle Visit: http://www.discoverwater.org/water-cycle/
Complete:
The Water Cycle Activity
What did I learn?
The Blue Traveler

6. 2. What powers the water Cycle. 3. Define:. Percolation. Respiration
2. What powers the water Cycle? 3. Define: Percolation Respiration Transpiration Sublimation Deposition

7. Investigate Fresh Water
Visit: freshwater/
Complete:
Investigate Freshwater
Video
What did I learn?

8. 4. How much of Earth’s water is fresh water. 5
4. How much of Earth’s water is fresh water? 5. What can indicate higher water Quality?

9. Explore Watersheds
Watch the following video clips on watersheds:
Visit: watersheds/
Complete:
Watershed Activity
Video
What did I learn?

10. 6. What are Watersheds. What are the major features of a watershed. 7
6. What are Watersheds? What are the major features of a watershed? 7. How do Dams, farms, Water treatment plants, and city structures effect watersheds? (explain each separately) 8. What watershed do you live in?

11. Porosity & Permeability
Watch the following videos:

12. 9. What is the difference between porosity and permeability. 10
9. What is the difference between porosity and permeability? Draw three diagrams- Gravel & Sand & Clay Explain the porosity & Permeability of each substance.

13. If you have completed the activities and fully answered all 10 questions you are done Extra Time? Visit and Explore

14. Permeability Prezi
Running Dry (25 min)
Neuse River (10 min)
FLOW (90)
Blue Gold (90)
Tapped Preview

15. Additional Information
An aquifer is a natural underground area where large quantities of ground water fill the spaces between rocks and sediments and creates and underwater “pool” of water. This water is frequently pumped up using water wells and used for humans and livestock. The water table is the upper surface of ground water below which the soil or rocks are permanently saturated with water and where the pressure of water in the soil equals the pressure of the atmosphere. The water table fluctuates with the seasons and from one year to another based on how much precipitation has fallen, how much has been pumped out for human use and how much is used by plants and animals.

16. Additional Information Continued
Less permeable rock below an aquifer that keeps groundwater from draining away is called a confining layer. The water held within the pores of the sand, soil, and clay above the confining layer is called an aquifer. Sometimes, deeper in the ground is an impermeable layer. When water is trapped between the confining layer and the impermeable layer, it forms an artesian aquifer. Water in an artesian aquifer is under a large amount of pressure and can bubble up out of the ground in some places. Rainwater cannot penetrate the confining layer to get to an artesian aquifer. Artesian aquifers are refilled in a recharge zone where there is no confining layer.

17. Additional Information Continued

18. Additional Information Continued