Media Menu, January 1, 2011

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, January 1, 2011,
9 a.m. New Year’s Day until 3 a.m. January 2 E/P
Discovery Channel
Science and Technology
Middle and High School

“New Year’s Day Marathon: MythBusters”

This is an all-day marathon broadcast of the Emmy--nominated series that uses science to prove or disprove myths and urban legends. The programs star special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, who use their expertise to test the validity of various rumors and theories. They were recently visited on-set by President Barak Obama who praised their work of promoting the study of science. (See link below to see a video of the President’s visit. ) Hyneman and Savage often use their extensive engineering and construction expertise to construct complex devices with which to perform experiments. The tests are usually a two-step process. First, an attempt is made to recreate the myth to determine if the circumstances, as described, achieve the alleged outcome. If that fails, they attempt to expand the parameters as much as necessary – often to absurd lengths – until the desired results are duplicated. There are some myths and urban legends the MythBusters refuse to test. Paranormal concepts, such as aliens or ghosts, are not addressed because they cannot be tested by scientific methods. TV-PG
For summaries of episode contents log on . For video showing President Barak Obama’s visit with MythBusters hosts log on http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2010/12/president-obama-visits-discove.html

Sunday, January 2, 2011,
7-8 p.m. E/P
CBS
Science and Arts
Middle and High School

“60 minutes”

The first story in this newsmagazine, “Bad Medicine”, is about drug company whistle-blower Cheryl Eckard, who tells Scott Pelley about her experience trying to fix problems at a pharmaceutical factory that made her a key figure in a federal lawsuit and a multimillionaire. The second story, “Wynton”, is about jazz missionary Wynton Marsalis who shares his love of America’s most distinctive art form by taking his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra around the world. Morley Safer tags along as Marsalis and his musicians make the scene in London and then go to Havana for a spicy Afro-Cuban musical treat.
Log on http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

Monday, January 3, 2011,
9-10:30 p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. History
Middle and High School

“AMERICAN EXPERIENCE : Robert E. Lee”

This documentary examines the life and reputation of Robert E. Lee, whose military successes during the American Civil War made him the scourge of the Union and hero of the Confederacy and who was elevated to almost god-like status by his admirers after his death. He is celebrated by handsome equestrian statues in countless cities and towns across the American South, and by two postage stamps issued by the government he fought against during the four bloodiest years in American history. Nearly a century and a half after his death, Robert E. Lee, the leading Confederate general of the American Civil War, remains a source of fascination and, for some, veneration. TV-PG
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/lee

Tuesday, January 4, 2011,
10-11 p.m. ET, 7-8 p.m. PT
CNBC
U.S. History and Technology
Middle and High School

The Truth About Information Overload

This documentary explores how modern technology is rapidly changing the way we live, sometimes for the better and more often than we’d like to admit… for the worse. Devices like personal computers and smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. They keep us informed and connected, but one study says extended use increases blood pressure and stress, and can lead to depression. The report traces how the rise of these devices may be harming our relationships, our minds and our safety. We take you behind the wheel of a dangerous situation - using smartphones while driving - and its tragic results. Do you need an internet intervention? Learn the signs of addiction and the simple solutions for managing computer and cell phone use? http://bit.ly/eNUdbG

Wednesday, January 5, 2011,
9-10 p.m. E/P
PBS
Science
Middle and High School

“Masters Of The Arctic Ice”

The Arctic is the largest expanse of frozen water on the planet. All creatures that make their home there are masters of survival, superbly adapted to the Arctic ice. But climate change has begun to eat away at the ice on which these creatures depend. In this documentary two teams of researchers are racing to find out how global warming is rocking the Arctic world - before there's nothing left but water. TV-G
Log on http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=2835060

Thursday, January 6, 2011,
9-10 p.m. ET , 6-7 p.m. PT
CNBC
Technology and U.S. History
Middle and High School

“The Facebook Obsession”

This documentary tells the story behind the rise of the largest social-media site in the world, told through the company's founders, friends and foes. It provides a comprehensive look at how this Internet phenomenon, with half a billion users, is affecting society in ways most people are unaware of.
From a girl who is reunited with her birth mother with the help of Facebook, to a woman who lost her job because of her online postings, the film examines how the site is fundamentally altering American life for better or worse; even the White House and many police departments have their own Facebook pages. The report explores the intense privacy debate that Facebook has provoked, and explains the business model that has turned a dorm-room venture into a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
Log on http://www.cnbc.com/id/39618344

Friday, January 7, 2011,
4-5- p.m. E/P
Science Channel
Technology and U.S. History
Middle and High School

“HeadRush: Disappearing Water”

In this documentary about unusual aspects of science, host Kari Byron makes water disappear, shows off origami that folds all by itself, and demonstrates how to make a vortex in a soda bottle. Also shown are why kangaroos have short front legs and what organisms make fossil fuels.
Log on http://headrush.discovery.com

Saturday,, January 8, 2011,
3-5- p.m. E/P
Planet Green Channel
World History
Middle and High School

“Egypt's Ten Greatest Discoveries ”

In this documentary Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s top archaeologist and a team of leading archaeologists have selected the ten most important discoveries in Egypt. From major battles, to mega-construction, the discoveries uncover the amazing stories of the lives of kings, queens and ordinary people.TV-PG
Log on http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/egypts-greatest-discoveries-egypt-10-great-tomb.html