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: GPS-based System May Improve Air Travel, 12/12/07
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec07/saferskies_12-12.html

Worksheet Questions: (click here for printout)

1. Why do GPS-based air traffic control systems allow planes to fly closer together more safely as compared to radar-based systems?

Because GPS-based systems pinpoint the location of planes more accurately. Radar-based systems only pinpoint planes' locations within about a mile, so air traffic controllers must separate planes by at least 5 miles to be safe.

2. What are two reasons that the FAA chose Bethel, Alaska as the place to test the new system?

Because bad weather makes Alaska one of the most dangerous places in the country to fly, with the highest accident rates. Also because Bethel is a hub for 52 surrounding Eskimo villages. Small planes are used to bring people to places like hospitals and grocery stores.

3. By what percentage has the accident rate dropped around Bethel since the airport began to use the new system?

The accident rate has dropped by 47 percent, according to Leonard Kirk.

4. By what year does the FAA estimate it will have the system installed in all of the lower 48 states?

By 2020.

5. What company is using a version of this system at its Louisville hub? How much money do they estimate that it has saved, via improved efficiency?

United Parcel Service estimates that it has saved about $1 million if fuel each year, because the system allows it to schedule flights with greater efficiency.

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.