Main Menu | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Stages

Everything in nature has a life cycle. Even rocks go through changes given enough time. Hurricanes have a beginning and an end, too. After years of study, their life cycle is now predictable and generally understood. This information helps meteorologists make predictions as to the path and intensity of a hurricane.

As members of the Hurricane Stages Team, your job will be to research the life cycle and stages 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 the stages that hurricanes go through during their life cycles. 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, however you do not have to answer them all nor are you limited to only these questions.

• A hurricane is not living, yet we say it has a life cycle. Why?
• Where does a hurricane begin? How does it form?
• What causes the death of a hurricane?
• Do the different stages in a hurricane’s life cycle have names? If so, what are they?
• What are the primary parts of a hurricane? Do these change in the different stages?
• Why might it be important for the average citizen to know and understand the stages in a hurricane's life cycle?

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

Things to know:

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

• 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 Power Point
    
  • PPT Etiquette – Rules for creating a professional looking presentation
    
  • Citations Format – Format for 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. 

It is strongly suggested that you read through the above resources before you begin on your project.