In this quarter-length course, we study how water interacts within different Earth systems. The course will focus on how the water cycle works with the rock cycle to reshape the land around you. You will learn about precipitation, lakes, streams, rivers, groundwater, watersheds, atmospheric processes, coastal regions, and aquatic ecology.

You will also consider wastewater, conservation, and water shortages, and apply the information and skills you learn to solve real world problems. Course activities include investigation of the properties of water, real and virtual labs, and hydrology focused problem solving.

Course materials: NOAA.gov, EPA.gov, SI.edu, and other science sites. Virtual labs are conducted online. Any supplies, including a ruler and protractor, can be found easily or made at home.

Standards met: This course meets some of the standards and benchmarks in the following strands of the 2019 Minnesota Science Standards for Grades 9-12: Earth and Space Science.

Credit: 0.25

Honors opportunity: Yes

Prerequisites: None. Before a student can enroll in a MNOHS science course, MNOHS must receive a permission form signed by a parent or guardian (if the student is under 18).