The Water Cycle in Kenai Fjords National Park Activity

Kenai Fjords National Park is located along the southern coast of Alaska and is known for its dramatic landscapes shaped by ice and water. This makes it an ideal place to study the water cycle.

This immersive station-based activity introduces students to the water cycle through the dramatic landscapes of Kenai Fjords National Park. Students first build background knowledge about the park and its glaciers, fjords, mountains, and coastal environments before exploring how water moves through these real-world locations.

Students will rotate through seven interactive stations, each focused on a different type of location within the park—such as cryosphere (glaciers), coves, waterways (harbors/lagoons), mountains, and water flows (rivers/creeks). At each station, students learn specific real locations and targeted vocabulary that show how water is moving or changing state in that environment. The stations are structured and intentionally designed to support both middle and high school learners by combining reading, visual analysis, and hands-on engagement.

The activity culminates in a creative children’s book project, where students tell the story of a single water droplet traveling through Kenai Fjords as part of the water cycle. This final product requires students to apply all vocabulary terms, accurately describe water cycle processes, and reference each location they studied—making it a powerful assessment of understanding. This activity promotes deep conceptual learning, works well in a variety of class lengths, and results in meaningful student work that goes far beyond a traditional worksheet or test.

This resource would work well in a science, social studies or geography class.

This product includes:

1. Teacher Directions-including intro and materials needed  

2. Teacher Prep Information

3. Teacher Procedure

4. Student Packet-Short reading, station directions, questions, project directions and rubric

5. Student Packet Vocab Answers

6. Teacher Tips

7. Station Sheets

8. Locations

To do this activity, students will need:

• Pencil

• Copy of “Kenai Fjords National Park” packet for each student

• Copy of station sheets and locations

• 7 cups or small boxes 

• Materials to make books (paper, markers, stapler, etc.)

• Optional: Scissors (for you to cut out locations)

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