Sunday, Sept. 28
7-8 p.m. E/P

CBS

Subjects: US History and Science

Middle and High School

"60 Minutes"

This newsmagazine interviews Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson about nation's unfolding economic crisis. In another story Gen. Ray Odierno sits down with Lesley Stahl for his first interview since taking command of U.S. forces in Iraq and also takes her on his first battlefield tour in his new role. In a science report Steve Kroft descends into the Large Hadron Collider - some call it the "big bang machine" -- that took billions of dollars and 9,000 physicists to build in the hope it will provide valuable insights into the formation of the universe.

Monday, Sept. 29
8-9 p.m. E/P

National Geographic Channel

Subjects: US History and Science

Middle and High School

"CIA Secret Experiments"

At the height of the Cold War, the CIA launched a highly classified, top secret research program that exposed Americans to biological agents, hallucinogenic drugs and psychological techniques aimed at mastering the art of mind control. Entire cities in America were contaminated with bacteria, exposing millions to germ warfare. This documentary examines what happened, shedding light on its research to better understand the extent and full reach of its disturbing experiments.

Monday, Sept. 29
9-11:30 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"AMERICAN EXPERIENCE - The Presidents - Reagan: An American Crusade'"

This is the concluding episode in a documentary miniseries about President Reagan. When he left the White House in 1988, he was one of the most popular presidents of the century - and one of the most controversial. A failed actor, Reagan became a passionate ideologue who preached a simple gospel of lower taxes, less government and anti-communism. One by one, his opponents underestimated him; one by one, Reagan surprised them, rising to become a president who always preferred to see America as a "shining city on a hill." TV-PG, L (for strong language)

For information about this program log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex

Tuesday, Sept. 30
9-10:30 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: US History, Health and Science

Middle and High School

"P.O.V. 'Critical Condition'"

What happens if you fall sick and are one of 47 million people in America without health insurance? This documentary puts a human face on the nation's growing health care crisis by capturing the struggles of four critically ill Americans who discover that being uninsured can cost them their jobs, health, home, savings, even their lives. Filmed in verite style, the film offers a moving expose at a time when the nation is debating how to extend health insurance to all Americans. A separate 30-minute follow-up program, RX FOR CHANGE, completes the broadcast. TV-PG

For information about this program log on http://www.pbs.org/pov/

Tuesday, Sept. 30
9:35-10:35 p.m. E/P

Sundance Channel

Subjects: Science and Geography

High School

"The Green: Nuclear Comeback"

With carbon-based fuels becoming more expensive and the world witnessing increasing evidence of global warming, many are now calling a nuclear energy renaissance the only clean alternative. New to make this documentary New Zealand filmmaker Justin Pemberton, whose country has never housed a nuclear power plant, embarked on a worldwide investigation of the pros and cons of going nuclear. Searching for answers, Pemberton was granted rare access to power plants and a uranium mine, and visits England's notorious Sellafield and Chernobyl in the Ukraine.

Wednesday, Oct. 1
7-8 E/P

History Channel

Subjects: US History and Economics

Middle and High School

"Modern Marvels: Banks"

Banks have been the backbone of the world's economy for centuries, constantly being reinvented over time. The contemporary world banking system is an intricate and complex system, linking nations and corporations across the globe. This documentary ventures back to the days of the Medici family in Italy, tracing the history of the banking industry from its conception through the creation of contemporary tools like the ATM. This program also tells the story of key banking institutions such as the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, and will examine the influence of such notable figures as Alexander Hamilton, Henry Wells, Aaron Burr, William Fargo, A.P. Giannini, Andrew Jackson and J.P. Morgan. Experts and insiders consider the implications of the credit card and the development of electronic banking, describing how modern technology has transformed the world economy. Educators may want to use clips from this program to provide students with background information on current issues in the banking industry.

For information about this program log on http://www.history.com/minisites/modernmarvels

Thursday, Oct. 2
9-11 p.m. ET, 6-8 p.m. PT

PBS

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"Vice Presidential Debate: Joe Biden and Sarah Palin"

Gwen Ifill, of PBS' THE NEWSHOUR and WASHINGTON WEEK, moderates the vice presidential debate between the Democratic and Republican nominees, live from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. Followed by analysis from THE NEWSHOUR team anchored by Jim Lehrer with David Brooks and Mark Shields. The debate will also be telecast on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC

For information about this program log on http://www.pbs.org/vote2008

Friday, Oct. 2
10-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"Slavery And The Making Of America: The Downward Spiral"

This initial episode of a documentary miniseries about the history of slavery in the U.S. covers the period from 1619 through 1739 and spotlights the origins of slavery in America, focusing on Dutch New Amsterdam (later New York City). This installment shows how slavery in its early days was a loosely defined labor source similar to indentured servitude: Africans and others of mixed race and/or mixed culture had some legal rights, could take their masters to court and could even earn wages as they undertook the backbreaking labor involved in building a new nation - clearing land, constructing roads, unloading ships. But further south, the story of John Punch served as an omen of things to come. Captured after attempting to escape his tobacco plantation, he received a sentence far harsher than the two white men who ran with him. Indeed, in the Carolinas, where the enslaved were teaching struggling white planters how to grow the wildly lucrative crop "oryza" (rice), the labor system was already progressing towards the absolute control, dehumanizing oppression and sheer racism today most commonly associated with slavery. The first hour culminates with the bloody Stono rebellion in South Carolina, which led to the passage of "black codes," regulating virtually every aspect of slaves' lives. Morgan Freeman narrates. TV-PG, V Subsequent episodes air in this timeslot three more Fridays.

For information about this program log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery

Saturday, Oct. 4
9-10 p.m. E/P

National Geographic Channel

Subjects: Science and Economics

Middle and High School

"LA Hard Hats: Rodbusters"

In this documentary a crew of ironworkers carries and painstakingly sets more than 7 million pounds of steel rebar over 400 days. They are led by first-time foreman Julio Sandoval and his salty supervisor, Ed Collier. From day one, it's a challenge for the new guy. Julio and his team fall behind, and he becomes the target of his fellow foremen's fury over the slipping schedule. The ironworkers battle design flaws, architectural changes, irate subcontractors, the uncooperative weather and the need to constantly initiate new batches of "punk" apprentices.