Discovery Channel, Tuesday October 22

8-9pm

Live schools’ broadcasting goes into a state of suspension for half term, giving an opportunity to publicise this exceptional documentary on the making of the Soviet atomic bomb. Igor Kurchatov (1903-1960) was a young scientist involved in the electrification of the USSR who managed to emerge unscathed from the purges of the Thirties and turned his attention to nuclear research.

He was therefore well-placed to head the country’s accelerated nuclear weapons programme when the explosion of the bomb at Hiroshima finally convinced Stalin that the US had a powerful new weapon. Though Kurchatov was helped by information from spies, he still had a massive task co-ordinating the programme which would lead, in just four years, to the explosion of Russia’s first atomic bomb. In order to obtain the necessary resources, he was obliged to turn to the villainous secret police chief, Lavrenti Beria, who provided money, protection - and slave labour. Yet, by all accounts, Kurchatov himself was a decent man who believed he was doing his best for his country, and who would eventually oppose the stockpiling of weapons by the superpowers.

Using remarkable archive film, with contributions from Kurchatov’s fellow scientists, this documentary tells the story of a piece of scientific research as fascinating as its US equivalent, the Manhattan Project, while exploring the moral dilemmas of the man at its heart. A useful resource for modern European history.

The Art

BBC2, Tuesday October 22

2-4am.

A six-part, topic-based series on art and design for 11 to 16-year-olds. The emphasis throughout is on contemporary art and design, in areas that range from recycled materials, to cities, drawing, identity and living things. Teachers’ notes, resource pack and a video are available.

Dance TV

BBC2 Thursday, October 24

2-4am

An award-winning, four-part series that surveys popular dance styles - athletic, rhythmical, with or without partners. The idea is to encourage students to perform their own dances.

Witness to History

BBC4 from Wednesday October 23

A new strand of filmed debates on topics connected with contemporary history, presented by David Aaronovitch, in which the people involved in events such as the Big Bang in the City of London or the struggle for the Labour Party deputy leadership recall what happened. The series begins with rail privatisation. Among those taking part are Sir Bob Reid, the last chairman of British Rail, and Sir Patrick Brown, the civil servant who presided over what many consider to have been an unhelpful piece of legislation.

Great Books: Dante’s Inferno

Discovery Channel Monday, October 14

6-7pm

Dante’s poem is one of the best-known, yet (outside Italy) least read great literary works. This US film may inspire its viewers to venture into the Inferno - or, more probably, will make them feel that they have done Hell while being spared the effort of actually venturing inside. If you feel that there is some virtue in your older students at least knowing who Dante was and what he was on about, then this documentary will do the trick.

Robin Buss

For full schedules:

www.channel4.co.uklearningmainprogrammesautumn2002.cfm

www.bbc.co.ukschoolswhatsontvindex.shtml