Sunday, May 4
8-10 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science and World History

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Clash Of The Cavemen"

It's 25,000 B.C., and it's a tough time to be alive. Freezing temperatures grip the planet as the peak of the last Ice Age takes hold. In Europe, arctic glaciers reach as far south as London and Berlin. Massive predators are on the prowl. Caves are the most reliable form of shelter. Across the continent, two species of primitive man struggle to survive the threats posed by Mother Nature and by each other. The Neanderthals - short, stocky, built for brute strength - are natural hunters and well-adapted to the cold. But they lack the same understanding of technology and ability to speak in abstract terms that our species has. And when the chips are down, they tend to eat their own. On the other side are the Cro-Magnon Homo sapiens - "the thinking man" - smarter but more fragile. Not as strong as the Neanderthals, they can reason better. It's brains vs. brawn for the rights to the world - the ultimate inter-species smack down. This documentary reports on new research in anthropology, archeology and genetics, and the first-ever Neanderthal genome mapping project that will enable experts to determine if these two groups of humans interbred. Here we compare the two contenders in physical characteristics, pain and cold thresholds, language and communication skills, immunity, and hunting strategies, and follow these early humans through a season of survival - ending with the extinction of one species, and the triumph of the other.

Monday, May 5
9-10:30 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"AMERICAN EXPERIENCE 'George H.W. Bush'"

The latest in the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE series of award-winning and critically acclaimed presidential portraits, this two-part biography examines the life and career of the often overlooked 41st president, from his service in World War II and his early career in Texas to his days in the Oval Office, first as vice president to Ronald Reagan, then as the leader who presided over the first Gulf War. Drawing upon Bush's personal diaries and interviews with his closest advisors and most prominent critics, the film also explores Bush's role as the patriarch of a political family whose influence is unequaled in modern American life. In HD where available. Two-part special. Rated TV-PG, L, V; (strong language, some violence) Part 2 airs Tuesday, May 6, 9:00-10:30 p.m.

Full details and at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/

Tuesday, May 6
4:30-6 p.m. E/P

HBO

Subjects: Science and Fiction

Middle and High School

"The Red Planet"

The premise of this movie - containing some science and some fiction -- is that by the year 2050, global warming and mankind's destruction of the environment will have taken the ultimate toll on Earth. In fact, NASA is planning to set up human habitats on Mars. In the movie Earth dwellers have no choice but to colonize another planet, scientists successfully seed Mars with an oxygen-rich algae, but when it mysteriously disappears, a mission must be sent to investigate. Led by Bowman (Carrie-Anne Moss), who commands the mission from orbit, a five-person crew sets out to solve the algae mystery, but they quickly discover a single chilling truth: they're not alone. As the crew is picked off one by one, it's up to Bowman to save the survivors from the deadly otherworldly force. With Val Kilmer, Benjamin Bratt, Tom Sizemore and Simon Baker. Rated PG 13 (AC,AL,V)

Wednesday, May 7
6-8 p.m. E/P

HBO

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"Iron-Jawed Angels"

This movie tells a true story set in a time when women were not allowed to enter politics in America. They had no vote, no political clout and no equal rights. But what they lacked under the law, they made up for with brains, determination and courage. Oscar-winner Hilary Swank stars in this inspirational account of two defiant and brilliant young women who dared to make a stand for women's rights--and wound up shaping the future of America. Rated TV-14

Further details about this film and its historical setting at http://www.hbo.com/films/ironjawedangels/history/

Wednesday, May 7
8-9 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science and World History

Middle and High School

"Modern Marvels: Axes"

To understand the physics that make the axe a dangerous and efficient cutting tool, observe the technique of competitive lumberjacks ? men and women - as they chop through 12-inch logs in a matter of seconds. This documentary visits the production line at one of the nation?s largest axe manufacturers to see how hot metal is forged into a modern axe. Take a swing with a Vikings? battleaxe, designed to chop arms and legs instead of wood, and then see which knight would win in a fight of sword versus axe. Learn why the Native American tomahawk is making a comeback as a modern tactical weapon. Finally, see how the classic fireman?s axe has evolved into a trailer full of high tech rescue tools.

Thursday, May 8
8-10:30 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: Arts

Elementary, Middle and High School

"LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER: Camelot"

The New York Philharmonic performs a semi-staged version of Lerner and Loewe's Camelot. Based on T.H. White's novel The Once and Future King, the musical is about the idealized kingdom of Camelot, the love triangle of King Arthur, Queen Guenevere and Sir Lancelot, and the treachery of the king's illegitimate son, Mordred. The score features such classic songs as "Camelot," "If Ever I Would Leave You" and "The Lusty Month of May." TV-G

Further details at http://www.pbs.org/livefromlincolncenter

Friday, May 9
8-10 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: Science and World History

Middle and High School

"Secrets OF the Dead: Doping for Gold"

In the 1970s, female East German athletes came out of nowhere to dominate international sport. But behind their success lay a secret, state-sponsored doping program that distributed untested steroids and male hormones to athletes as young as 12. Many of these girls had no knowledge that they were being doped, and now, as grown women (and men), their broken bodies and damaged psyches bear witness to the cruelty of a government that pursued international glory and gold at the expense of its most acclaimed citizens. This documentary digs into the secretive Cold War world of East German athletes, examining what drugs were used, how they were distributed and what damage they did to many of the athletes who were forced to take them. The result creates a timely perspective on today?s many doping scandals and reveals the truth behind the biggest state-sponsored doping program the world has ever known. TV-PG

Further details at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets

Saturday, May 11
10-midnight E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science and World History

Middle and High School

"Sputnik Mania"

This documentary tells the story of Sputnik from America's point of view. The film leads viewers through the first year following the launch of Sputnik. Sputnik spurred the U.S. into an arms and space race, necessitating the creation of an academic army of scientists and engineers. This led to the development of NASA, massive reforms in our education system, and the discoveries that enabled many of the consumer technologies on which we depend today (The Internet, cell phones, global positioning systems, credit card verifications and high-definition televisions). The launch of Sputnik also led to widespread fear. Within months this after Sputnik's launch, 60% of Americans thought that nuclear war was imminent and that 50% of the American population would likely die. The film is based on Paul Dickson's bestselling book Sputnik: The Shock of the Century. Many key players of the Sputnik era, including Russian representatives, NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the National Education Association, NPR's Daniel Schorr, and Homer Hickam of Rocket Boys fame among others contribute to the film with short clips dramatically telling their stories. This is a story of relevance to issues facing the 21st century. With our education system again in dire need of reform, the renewed focus on nuclear testing, and NASA's plans to build a moon base by 2024, the cosmic frontier has reopened to a new generation of scientists, engineers, and soldiers. As the film's epilogue asks: what will be our next "Sputnik moment" - the event that drives us to address these and other challenges.