What is Groundwater?
Provided by: The Kid Should See This|Published on: February 26, 2024|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: KQED Quest
Location: North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > Colorado, North America > United States > Kansas, North America > United States > Nebraska, North America > United States > New Mexico, North America > United States > Oklahoma, North America > United States > South Dakota, North America > United States > Texas, North America > United States > Wyoming
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video defines the different types and levels of groundwater, such as springs, the water table, the saturated and unsaturated zones, and aquifers, including the High Plains Aquifer.
- Students will learn about how the water cycle produces surface water and aquifers, and possible negative human impacts on the aquifers.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The article clearly explains how teachers can utilize the video.
- Embedded within the article are phrases that link to related videos so teachers can expand the lesson as needed.
- Kid-friendly animation will keep younger students' attention as they view the information.
Additional Prerequisites
- A definition list will be helpful due to the rigorous vocabulary. The article lists many content-specific words that teachers may need to define.
- Teachers may need YouTube access.
- Students should be familiar with the water cycle.
Differentiation
- This video is just one in a vast collection, all of which are easily obtained by clicking the categories at the top of the webpage, so teachers will have access to learning resources about hundreds of informational topics.
- Teachers can have students read the article aloud and work in small groups to create a vocabulary list before watching the video.
- Science teachers can have students watch the video and then research local water sources.
- This video can give background information for a lesson about how human actions, such as pollution and urban expansion, impact groundwater.
The video in this resource defines what groundwater is and describes the water cycle, aquifers, and other related topics. The video doesn't mention climate impacts on groundwater beyond a discussion about droughts and rain. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
