METR2413 Final Project Guidelines

1. METR2413 Final Project Guidelines Spring 2004

2. Introduction • This presentation is to serve as an information resource and guidelines on the final project for use by students in Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology (METR2413). • Outline • Project description and grading • Presentation mechanics • Graphics • References • Delivery of project

3. Project Description • Due date: First day of finals 5pm Monday 3 May • Project is to be based on the Meteorological topic chosen in class. • Each project is a PowerPoint presentation, assessed from a .ppt file, not from a talk • The audience for your presentation is the other members of this class • Each presentation is based on a 10-15 minute talk which translates to 10-20 slides • MS PowerPoint will be used to create presentation • Page count does not include title and reference slides

4. Project Description • Research for the presentation is the responsibility of the student. • Textbooks or other books • Web sites • Journals or magazines • You must use at least one example from each medium in your references • Make sure your web source is reputable • You must acknowledge all your sources in your reference list. • Don’t plagiarize !!

5. Grading • Project 40 points total, scaled to count 15% of your final grade • Content: 20 points • Is information accurate and scientifically correct? • To the point and not wandering • Organization: 10 points • Fit target audience as listed in introduction • Layout of presentation ordered and logical • Good mix of graphics and text • Presentation: 10 points • Good choice of colors; Clear graphics • Presentation: flows and moves • Special effects can hinder as much as help

6. Presentation Mechanics • Introduction Slide • Tell us what you wish to present • Body Slides (Information on the topic) • Conclusion Slide(s) • References Slide(s)

7. Presentation Mechanics • The presentation should be done in such a way that the audience “gets the point” of your presentation/topic without having to read a whole narrative.  So, be concise!  Use: • Bullets of important information • Figures • Key words or phrases

8. Graphics • Reference photos, graphics both in the presentation and formally in the reference slide(s) • One or two bullets should accompany graphic as explanation Normally one would just discuss graphic during oral presentation. Photograph courtesy of M. Laufersweiler

9. Graphics/Text Animations • They can be very effective, but • Test them to make sure that they work • If they are too complicated, they can be distracting or annoying

10. Graphics/Text • You are allowed to be creative and innovative. However, be sure to use color schemes that will work in all environments. • Also, remember, some in your audience may be color blind or cannot distinguish certain colors.

11. References • Follow AMS reference style as much as possible. For examples, check out AMS journals in 14th floor lounge or CoG library. • Koval, J. P and G. S. Young, 1999: Computer training for Entrepreneurial Meteorologists. Bull. Amer. Met.Soc., 82, 875—888 • Laufersweiler, Mark J., 2002, photograph from website http:/www.laufers.com/familypix/

12. Delivery • Name the PowerPoint file as yourname_final • Example: karolyd_final.ppt • Either • Burn to CD and turn in to instructors, or • sftp to rossby.metr.ou. • put in directory /class/metr2413_final • E-mail metr2413@rossby.metr.ou.edu to notify instructors of upload.

13. Selection of your topic • You will have a chance to select a topic randomly • You may swap your topic with another student, if you both agree • You may not generate your own topic • By the end of the first week back after Spring Break, you must email the instructors with your topic number and title