Understanding the Water Cycle Process and Composition Elements of High School Students

This study aims at examining the concepts that apply in understanding the water cycle, to inquire into the concept related to the unit of earth structure that are taught in the Earth Science I. Analysis of word association, drawing and questionnaires showed that it was difficult for them to understand the water cycle within the earth system, and to put components into one integrated system together. In other words, it showed that they have a low standard of understanding in connection with the water cycle, that their understanding of water cycle are simple thoughts rather than systematic thought. It showed that they had an understanding of the atmosphere and hydrosphere to some extent, but they took no notice of the effect of the lithosphere or biosphere, nor do they have an understanding of its effect. Analysis of questionnaires showed that they have no well understanding of water cycle of cyclic nature, and that they have low standard of understanding of the components of water cycle.