Wednesday, Sept. 12
8-9 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: US History and Economics

Middle and High School

"Brown is the New Green: George Lopez and the American Dream"

Latinos, this nation's largest and fastest-growing minority group, are big business. This documentary examines how efforts to profit from this group are shaping the contemporary Latino identity. The report's focal point is George Lopez, an icon and advocate for Latinos' move into the mainstream. It's a behind-the-scenes look at Lopez' life and world as he shares his struggles to represent Latinos in a manner true to their realities and aspirations. As Cosby did for African Americans decades earlier, Lopez, through his comedy, aspires to normalize the image of Latinos in a way that delights and entertains. The film contrasts Lopez' endeavors with the efforts of marketers intent on spinning Latinos as a wholly distinct subculture. It also features conversations with members of the much-coveted Latino youth market, whose tastes and interests are far more eclectic than one would think. TV-PG

Log on http://www.pbs.org/previews/brownisthenewgreen

Thursday, Sept. 13
9-10 p.m. E/P (check local listings)

National Geographic Channel

Subjects: US History and Geography

High School

"Moonshine"

It is called "moonshine," "rotgut" or even "white lightning." It is the rebel liquor that sparked a deadly war between bootleggers and the law during Prohibition and launched NASCAR as a nationwide sensation. Who created moonshine, and is it safe to drink? And what crafty tricks keep these outlaws one step ahead of the law? This documentary takes viewers the Appalachian backwoods to uncover the secrets behind this unlawful liquor in Moonshine.

Thursday, Sept. 13
10-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: World History

High School

"Lawrence Of Arabia: The Battle for rhe Arab World"

This is the initial episode of a two-part special, filmed in England, Jordan and Syria. It includes rare archival footage and draws upon eyewitness accounts of Arabs, Westerners and Lawrence himself to tell the poignant and dramatic tale of one of the 20th century's most influential figures. Born to unmarried parents during the strict Victorian era, T.E. Lawrence is embarrassed by his illegitimacy. He spends most of his childhood alone, striving for physical and academic achievement. At Oxford, his passion for medieval history results in an expedition to study the great crusader castles of Syria, where he gains invaluable knowledge of the Arabs. While employed as an archaeologist, he is recruited by British intelligence to monitor Turkish activities. He also befriends an Arab who will deeply influence his views towards Arabs and their cause. After World War I begins, Lawrence becomes an intelligence officer in the British Army. His mission is to gather information about an Arab revolt planned against Turkish rulers. In return for a promise guaranteeing their independence, the Arabs join the war on the British side, but a secret agreement between the British and French will shatter this dream. Torn by conflicting loyalties, Lawrence continues to assist the Arabs, becoming more deeply entrenched in their fight. Against all odds, he leads the Arabs in a daring attack on the Turkish port of Aqaba. It is a stunning success and a turning point for Lawrence, the Arabs and the British. TV-PG. Part 2 airs September 19 in this time slot.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/lawrenceofarabia

Friday, Sept. 14
8:30-9:30 p.m. E/P (check local listings)

PBS

Subjects: US and World History

High School

"NOW: Iraq: Stories from the Battlefield"

This documentary features the soldiers of the Third Infantry Division, many of whom have been deployed an unprecedented third time to the battlefields of Iraq. NOW was with the soldiers as they experienced truncated combat training in Ft. Stewart, Georgia, and then were shipped out to Iraq. They are stationed in the area called the Sunni Triangle, which includes Fallujah and Ramadi, and the program follows the soldiers as they attempt to carry out the new policy of "clear, hold, build" in towns and villages across the province of Anbar. The program also includes an intimate look the lives of the soldiers' families.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/now

Friday, Sept. 14
10-11 p.m. E/P

National Geographic Channel

Subjects: Science and Technology

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Sweet Tooth"

Have you ever wondered what it would actually be like to go inside a candy factory as Charlie did in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?" This documentary explores the mega-machines and factory secrets behind some of America's most famous confections. From the device that inserts the filling into Twinkies to the technology that breathes life into Peeps, the program reveals the secrets behind these American food icons: Twinkies, Red Vines, Jelly Belly, Peeps and Ben & Jerry's. Today, they are part of a highly competitive industry that consists of multimillion-dollar businesses, all trying to win over the public's taste buds. The program also examines the old-world traditions and technological advancements that have made it possible for these companies to achieve sweet success.

Saturday, Sept. 15
9-10 p.m. E/P

National Geographic Channel

Subjects: Science

Middle and High School

"Prehistoric Predators: Bears"

Imagine a bear that is 6 feet tall on all fours, could outrun a horse, is twice the size of a grizzly bear and could probably rip apart its prey with one blow. For almost 1 million years, this short-faced bear stalked the North American continent, until it faded into extinction only about 10,000 years ago. This documentary examines how this mighty creature lived, hunted and finally vanished.

Sunday, Sept. 16
8-9 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science

Middle and High School

"How the Earth was Made"

This documentary is sort of a rollercoaster ride through the entire history of Planet Earth -- a 4.5 billion year epic from the moment of its creation to the present day. The story is one of unimaginable timescales, earth-shattering forces, incredible life forms, radical climates and mass extinctions. Through the use of CGI, and the stories of the groundbreaking scientists whose discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of earth's geologic history and the changing ratios of land to water on the globe, the program plots the twisting course of Earth's amazing journey. From a once seething, hellish mass of molten rock to the world that inhabits life today. The program explains everything from the formation on the continents to why certain parts of the world are plentiful in specific natural resources, how mountains rose and canyons were carved, and why the world's animals live where they do.

Monday, Sept. 17
9-10 p.m. E/P

CNBC

Subjects: US History and Economics

High School

"Greenspan: Power, Money, the American Dream"

CNBC economics reporter Maria Bartiromo hosts an in-depth look at the life, career, and impact of the most important central banker of modern times.

Monday, Sept. 17
9-10 p.m. E/P (check local listings)

PBS

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"Most Honorable Son"

After the Pearl Harbor attack, Nebraska farmer Ben Kuroki volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps. He would become the first Japanese-American war hero, surviving 58 missions as an aerial gunner over Europe, North Africa and Japan. Between tours of duty he found himself at the center of controversy - a lone spokesman against the racism faced by the thousands of Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps. Through interviews and rare, never-before-seen film, this documentary recounts one man's remarkable journey through World War II, providing context to two seemingly disparate histories - the U.S. air war and the Japanese-American experience. TV-PG

Monday, Sept. 17
10-11:30 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"Justice For My People: The Hector P. Garcia Story"

This documentary tells the story of Dr. Hector P. Garcia - Mexican Revolution refugee, medical doctor to the barrios, decorated war veteran, civil rights activist and presidential confidante - as he fought to bring attention to the Mexican-American civil rights movement. Returning to Texas after World War II with six battle stars, Garcia found that while Mexican-American veterans had been changed by the war, prejudiced America had not. His people faced public school segregation, squalid living conditions in labor camps and second-class citizenship. In 1948, Dr. Garcia founded the American GI Forum, empowering Mexican Americans to fight numerous legal and political battles against discrimination. TV-PG

Tuesday, Sept. 18
6-8 p.m. E/P

Discovery Science Channel

Subjects: Science and Technology

Middle and High School

"Beyond Invention Artificial Intelligence / First on the Moon: The Untold Story"

This is a broadcast of two documentaries about leading-edge science, and its perils. In the first, you'll learn that cyber-beings are a reality. They could star in a movie, or even save lives. Inventors build flying robots, create life inside the computer, and bring smart bugs to the military. The second episode shows what most people don't know: just how close Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong came to death on their historic voyage to the moon. Now, with the discovery of a lost tape, insight from top scientists, and previously unreleased documents, we present the untold story.