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Hurricane Tracking and Forecasting

The chief meteorologist announces new coordinates for the latest tropical storm: 33 degrees North Latitude, 64.5 degrees West Longitude. So, where’s the storm? The hurricanes have not decreased in intensity over the years, however the deaths associated with hurricanes have decreased greatly. What has caused the difference?

As members of the Hurricane Tracking & Forecasting Team, your job will be to research how the National Hurricane Center tracks hurricanes and how we can track the storms at home. You should also research the new technologies that have improved forecasting of hurricanes and reduced deaths associated with these hurricanes. You are then 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 new technology involved in hurricane forecasting.  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.

• How can we tell where a storm is located from the meteorologist’s coordinates?
• How can we keep track of its movements?
• How and from where does the meteorologist get his/her information?
• What new technologies have improved the science of forecasting of hurricanes?
• What has resulted from using these new technological tools in reducing the amount of damage and/or the number of lives lost? Are there any statistics to support your answer?
• Are there any new technologies that can actually decrease the force of hurricanes?

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.