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History & Names

Is the hurricane approaching our coastline more like Bonnie, Danny, Lili or Camille? The comparison definitely makes a difference to those residents deciding whether or not they should evacuate the area.

As members of the Hurricane History & Names Team, your job will be to research the history and naming of hurricanes and to create a multimedia presentation that will communicate your findings to others in an interesting, engaging, and informative manner. 

You will be using PowerPoint as your primary application software.  You may want to consider an interactive approach and/or the use of video in your presentation.  The presentation should help the public become aware of some of the past history of hurricanes and to learn why and how naming of hurricanes came about. In doing so, consider the members of your audience and what information will enhance their understanding of hurricanes in order to help residents make informed decisions when preparing for future hurricanes.

Team member roles are as follows:

• Think about how you might conduct your research. You can use some of the questions below to guide your research and presentation, however you do not have to answer them all, nor are you limited to only these questions.
  
• Do you want to focus on the deadliest, the costliest, or the most intense hurricanes, or do you want a combination of the three?
  
• Will you focus only on those that passed through Louisiana, or should you look at a broader region?
  
• Why do weather forecasters give hurricanes names?
  
• The rule for naming hurricanes changed in 1979. How did it change and why do you think this change was made?
  
• What letters of the alphabet are never used to name hurricanes? Why do you think that is so?
  
• Why are hurricane names retired? How do you feel about this practice? Is it justifiable?

Do some research and come to consensus as a group before you begin creating your presentation.

• The Red Cross board will visit us next week.  You will have 4 days (90 minute periods each day) to work on this project.  Make sure you reserve time to practice presenting before your actual presentation.

• Under the section titled Resources, you will find the following:
  
  • Websites - You may search on your own or you may use the list of web resources provided under this section.
    
  • Project Checklist – Gives the requirements for a successful project and will help guide you through the project
    
  • PPT Quick Tips  - For help with PowerPoint
    
  • PPT Etiquette – Rules for creating a professional looking presentation
    
  • Citations Format – Format for citing websites, graphics, video clips
    
  • Assessing Website Credibility – To aid in assessing website credibility
• The criteria for your research and presentation are given in the rubric in the Evaluation section.  Make sure you review the rubric before you begin your project.