Wednesday, Dec. 26
8-9 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Modern Marvels - Fast Food Tech"

Can fast food get any faster? Fast food joints in the US pull in $150billion dollars in annual sales. Their mantra is "fast, consistent, and inexpensive." In this documentary you can learn how they grow it, process it, freeze it, ship it, track it, fry it, flip it and pack it. Watch as hundreds of burgers, fries and shakes fly across counters and drive-thru windows at Carl's Jr., Jack in the Box, Wendy's and McDonald's. Visit a potato-processing plant where fries are made and learn how Taco Bell's founder developed the fast-food hard shell taco. Find out what the future holds for fast food technologyfont>

Thursday, Dec. 27
4-5 p.m. E/P

Discovery Science Channel

Subjects: Science

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Planets: The Sun"

Without the sun, there would be no life. This is a documentary about that complex and dangerous star which emits radiation and highly charged particles that cause solar storms. Predicting the sun's behavior may be the key to survival on the planet.

Friday, Dec. 28
10-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: World History

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Walking The Bible: Toward the Promised Land: Forty Years in the Desert "

Part adventure, part archaeological detective work and part spiritual exploration, this documentary follows storyteller Bruce Feiler on his inspiring 10,000-mile odyssey as he searches for traces of the great biblical heroes. He experiences the stark reality of the Sinai desert, where it's a struggle simply to survive. He finds the locations said to be where God provided water and food for the Israelites - and discovers the secret of the tamarisk tree, which produces a sweet, honey-like substance called "manna." The desert is also a haven for spiritual pilgrims. Feiler visits St. Catherine's Monastery, the oldest operating church in the world. He attends the service, a powerful, unchanged ritual of 1,500 years, and sees what's claimed to be the real "burning bush" from which God spoke to Moses. One of the monks, Texas-born Father Justin, shows him the monastery's renowned library of priceless religious art and manuscripts. Feiler climbs Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. As he follows the 40-year route of the Israelites, Feiler travels to the "lost city" of Petra, in Jordan, where the Israelites may have lived for many years. Nearing the end of Moses' journey, Feiler climbs Mt. Nebo, where God showed Moses the Promised Land. At the end of his own journey, Feiler realizes that although Moses was denied entrance himself, it was not the land after all that was important for Moses. It was his meeting with God.

Saturday, Dec. 29
10-11 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: World History

Middle and High School

"The True Story of Hannibal"

One of history's greatest military leaders, at age nine Hannibal accompanied his father Hamilcar Barca on the Carthaginian expedition to conquer Spain. Before embarking, the boy vowed eternal hatred for Rome, his people's bitter rival. Twenty years later, in 218 BC, he left New Carthage (now Cartagena, Spain) to wage war on "The Eternal City" with an army of about 40,000, including cavalry and elephants. After crossing the Pyr?n?es and Rh?ne River, he traversed the Alps while beset by snowstorms, landslides, and hostile mountain tribes. This documentary brings to life the story of the Carthaginian general who struck fear in all Roman hearts and wreaked havoc with his masterful military tactics, bringing the mighty Roman Republic to the brink of ruin. Archaeologists, historians, and military experts guide us through ancient Carthage and give insight into his military strategy up to defeat at Zama in 203 BC.