Using NewsHour Extra Worksheets

Overview: NewsHour Extra worksheets can help students follow along and identify key points in NewsHour science broadcast pieces.

Warm Up: Introduce the topic of the broadcast piece and find out how much your students know.

Main Activity: Hand out the worksheet and have students answer the questions as they watch the NewsHour segment.

Need a DVD of the science segment?: Write to science@newshour.org.

Story: Airplane Production Evolves with New Technology, 1/9/07
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/jan-june07/airplane_01-09.html

Worksheet Questions: (click here for printout)

1. What happened when Boeing used animations to design planes before?

Expensive problems still cropped up in the assembly process.

2. What do the new 3-D models do?

The 3-D models enable engineers to see if parts of the airplane will fit and workers can squeeze in to access them.

3. What are the pros and cons of using new lighter composite materials?

Critics say the composite materials are more prone to dents and damage, but Boeing says they don't corrode and are stronger than aluminum used in current planes.

4. What are the risks and rewards of using other companies to design and build parts as discussed in the story?

The risks include supply interruptions if the other companies go out of business, but the rewards include the use of products that can't be found anywhere else.

5. How many new airplanes will be needed in the next 20 years?

The airline industry forecasts nearly 20,000 new airplanes will be needed to replace aging fleets.

For more NewsHour Science Reports, go to www.pbs.org/newshour/science.

For more science lesson plans and worksheets, go to www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/science.