Monday, November 13
7-8 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science and U.S. History

High School

"Modern Marvels: The Manhattan Project"

At 5:30 a.m., July 16, 1945, scientists and dignitaries awaited the detonation of the first atomic bomb in a desolate area of the New Mexico desert aptly known as "Jornada del Muerto" (Journey of Death). Dubbed the Manhattan Project, the top-secret undertaking was tackled with unprecedented speed and expense--almost $30 billion in today's money. In this documentary the scientists and engineers involved relate their trials, triumphs, and dark doubts about building the ultimate weapon of war in the interest of peace. Rating: TVPG

Monday, November 13
8-9 p.m. E/P

Discovery Times Channel

Subjects: World History

High School

"TV Iraqi Style"

For over 20 years, Iraqi TV was dominated by propaganda films featuring Saddam Hussen. But these days, the locally run channels there carry new programs like 'Iraqi Pop Idol' or 'Labour and Materials', a property makeover show about how to redesign bombed homes. Rated TV-PG

Tuesday, November 14
10-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: Arts and US History

High School

"Independent Lens: A Touch Of Greatness"

In an era when old fashioned textbook content like "Dick and Jane" and rigid classroom discipline ruled America's schools, teacher Albert Cullum allowed Shakespeare, Sophocles and Shaw to reign in his fifth-grade classroom. This documentary weaves archival footage with interviews of Cullum and his former students, into a film portrait of the lives transformed by a maverick teacher who enabled children to embrace their inner greatness. Cullum broke the mold for the boring, uninspiring public school teachers in the 1950s and 60s. He inspired his students of all ages and challenged them to want to learn more through acting in theatrical productions of the classics. The productions were unconventional by every school standard, but gained wide recognition for being groundbreaking and inspiring. The program contains footage from his class and a "reunion" with the adult version of some of the kids seen earlier. This segues to interviews with a few of those adults who have become successful individuals.

Log on www.pbs.org/independentlens

Wednesday, November 15
9-11 p.m. E/P

CNBC

Subjects: Science and Social Science

High School

"Game On: The Unauthorized History Of Video Games"

This documentary about the history of video games goes behind the scenes of the industry's most successful companies to show viewers the making of today's biggest selling games. Program repeats in this timeslot Sunday, November 19.

Wednesday, November 15
9-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: Science and World History

High School

"Warplane: Jet Age/Age of Stealth"

This is a broadcast of the concluding two episodes of a documentary miniseries about the technical evolution of the warplane. The first episode covers the period 1946-1990. The jet engine was one of the most defining pieces of mid-20th-century technology. It led to revolutionary change in aerial combat and in the military role of the airplane. Huge risks were taken by designers, test pilots and combat air crews as they pushed the limits of technology and human endurance; when Chuck Yeager broke the elusive sound barrier in 1947, science, secrecy and speed became defining tools of the Cold War. Sabres and MiGs battled in the skies of Korea, high-speed spy planes challenged national boundaries and jet-powered helicopters were integrated into military aviation. The second hour covers the period 1955-present. Throughout the last century, covert surveillance has been key to military success. Over the trenches, the eye in the sky had been indispensable. But as defenses against airplanes improved through the decades, the airplanes themselves have undergone a transformation of design. New technology has allowed them to become, for all intents and purposes, invisible, and their advanced avionics have made them ever more agile and self-reliant. At a time when the human pilot is becoming the limiting factor in the capabilities of an aircraft, many believe we are entering a new age of autonomous, pilot-less warplanes that will transform combat as we know it

Thursday, November 16
10-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: Art and US History

Middle and High School

"Keeping Score: Copland and the American Sound"

In the early 20th century, the sound of America burst upon the world in the form of jazz, blues, spirituals, folk, Latin and the music Tin Pan Alley. American composer Aaron Copland listened and absorbed everything around him ??? and put it into what he wrote. This arts and history documentary visits the places and explores the ideas that shaped Aaron Copland's life and contribution to the world of music.

Log on http://www.keepingscore.org

Friday, November 17
7-8 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"Our Generation: Three Mile Island"

In 1979 America came closer to a nuclear melt-down than we had ever come before. The nuclear accident at Three Mile Island became a metaphor for our treatment of the environment and ultimately the consequences we would all have to deal with. This documentary tells the stories of the unforgettable events that shaped the ideas and behavior of the Baby Boomer generation - the parents of today's student generation - and changed the world of the last half of the last century

Log on http://www.history.com/minisites/ourgeneration

Saturday, November 18
noon-2 p.m. ET, 9-11 p.m. PT

TCM

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"Plymouth Adventure"

Thanksgiving is approaching. This Oscar-winning movie ??? mostly based on historical records - presents the Pilgrims' journey to the new world on the Mayflower. The emphasis is more on the voyage itself and the attendant dangers but does introduce viewers to the main historical character - Captain Christopher Jones, the captain of the Mayflower, the tragic Dorothy Bradford and husband, the William Bradford who was later to become the first governor of the new colony.