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.

India Works to Shield Traditional Knowledge from Modern Patents, 5/21/07
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/jan-june07/patents_05-21.html

Worksheet Questions: (click here for printout)

1. What are some things people tried to patent that originated in India?

Some people tried to patent yoga and basmati rice.

2. What is the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library?

A project to transfer 5,000 years of ancient Indian text into a digital database

3. How will the digital library be used?

If a patent office in the West gets an application, it can check the database for existing knowledge or prior art before granting the patent.

4. What's another possible use of the library?

Indians hope drug and biotechnology companies will use the library to research India's ancient plant-based remedies, creating new drugs and an economic bonanza for India.

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.