Based on your observations in the lab, what do you think happens to the majority of water (not, ice) at the poles? at the equator?

I think the best way to  explain it is that the water at the poles and in the equators is that temperature of the water at the poles are mostly low because of the insufficient heat energy and the water in the poles has a higher temperature compare to the water in the poles.

While unproven, it uses facts to support part of a conclusion. it is still factual and has predictive power, however.