TV Smarts

Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are home-viewing tips:

* Today--”Scientific American Frontiers” (KCET 8-9 p.m.) Review of the 200 top developments in science in the last decade. Alan Alda hosts.

* Friday--”20th Century With Mike Wallace: U.N. Peacekeepers” (HIST 7-8 p.m.) Review of the 40-year history of international peacekeeping missions. Also, “Global Warming” (KLCS 9-11 p.m.) Hands-on experiments are used to explain the basic science of the greenhouse effect and some promising solutions.

* Saturday--”Bob Marley--Caribbean Nights” (OVTN 7-8 p.m.) Documentary on the late reggae singer, whose appeal endures. Also, “10 Things I Hate About You” (STARZ 8-10 p.m.) Movie based on Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” in which young lovers’ problems remain as difficult as ever. Rated PG-13.

* Sunday--”River Jordan: Waters of Life” (KCET 6-7 p.m.) Documentary on the myriad life forms sustained by the river in the Middle East. Also, “Arabian Nights” (KABC 8-10 p.m.) TV miniseries based on the classic folk tale collection “A Thousand and One Nights.”

* Monday--”Conde Nast Traveler--Rio de Janeiro” (TRV 3-4 p.m., repeats 10-11 p.m.) Documentary follows international travel and fashion magazine photographers around the Brazilian city.

* Tuesday--”Maternity Ward” (TLC 10-11 p.m.) The doctors and nurses at University Hospital in New Orleans are followed through difficult days and nights in the maternity ward. TV-rated PG.

* Wednesday--”Michael Palin’s Hemingway Adventure” (KCET 9-11 p.m.) Initial episode in a two-part series in which the British actor visits locales important to Hemingway, such as Chicago; Havana; Paris; Pamplona, Spain; Italy; and Idaho. Continues May 10.

Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, dean of the School of Education, College of St. Rose, Albany, N.Y. Columns at http://mediakit.nohib.com./tvsmarts.