ACTIVITY: Participate in a relay that simulates the water cycle.

GOALS: Understand the water cycle and the important role of the sun's energy in driving the water cycle. Understand that cooperation helps us to accomplish things when we work in groups.

AGE: Younger Children and Older Children

PROCEDURE: Describe the water cycle. Stress the role of the sun in evaporating the water that eventually forms clouds and in creating the wind that moves the clouds by causing the unequal heating of the Earth's surface and atmosphere. Have someone try to pick up the full bucket of water to see how heavy it would be to carry. Then point out that
cooperating and each taking a little water, the task will be made easier.

Divide the group into two or three smaller groups and have them line up single file at the lakes (full buckets of water) and facing the clouds (empty bucket about 20 feet [6.1 meters] away). Pass out one cup, other small container, to each child.

Give them their directions:
"In order to evaporate and rise up to form clouds, the water must have the sun's heat. Imagine that each person has the sun's energy. When it is your turn, take a cup (or other small container) of water and run up to the clouds. The object is to not spill any water. Pour
water into the bucket when you get there. When you have poured your water in, then the next person can bring his or her water up to the clouds. When all groups have formed new lines at the clouds, you should all squat."

At this point, in case some water was spilled on the way up to the clouds, you will need to add about one quart (.94 liter) of water to each "cloud" bucket so that there will be enough to go around for the return journey back to the lakes. Here are the directions for round two:

"In round two you will 'rain' into the lake by taking water from the clouds into your cup. Once you have reached the lake an poured your 'rain' into it, put the cup down so the next 'rainstorm' can come down. When the whole cloud is rained our (when you have all emptied your cups into the 'lake'), your should all squat down and the game is over. The water cycle is complete."

MATERIAIS: One full bucket of water and one empty bucket for each group in the relay; a can, cup or empty milk or juice carton for each child; signs to mark off lake and cloud areas; open space for running; extra supply of water.

This activity is from the book Keepers of the Faith Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children. Fulcrum, Inc., 1989.