KIDS/SNEAK PEEK : AMUSEMENT PARKS TAKE SERIOUS WORK.

Byline: - Nancy Hewitt

Did you ever wonder how much work went into planning an amusement park? The art and science of providing an environment that includes rides, games and activities that appeal to both kids and adults will be explored in the latest episode of ``TLC Presents.''

In ``The Secret World of Amusement Parks,'' viewers get a look at the newest, fastest rides and how they are designed to maximize the scare factor.

And there's more planning behind the success of amusement parks than meets the eye. For example, every turn in the path through the park, the placement of each attraction, even what's being sold from the food carts have all been meticulously planned, leaving nothing to chance.

Some of the newest roller-coaster cars can travel up to 100 mph, riding on a magnetic wave generated within the track itself.

Planners place food courts at exact intervals throughout the park, so that the average person spending eight to nine hours walking through the park will hit food stalls as soon as they start to become hungry.

``The Secret World of Amusement Parks'' will be shown at 6 p.m. Sunday on the Learning Channel.

Science, medicine and mysteries

From the discovery and use of penicillin to the frequency of volcanic eruption, public television offers a five-part series that explores medical technology and breakthroughs, the revolutions in physics and astronomy, the study of human behavior and the technological revolution and origins of our planet and its various forms of life.

``A Science Odyssey'' airs at 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday on KCET (Channel 28).

Mysteries of the Andes

A remote, mystical region is brought to life in ``The Andes,'' a three-part series that explores its history of earthquake and volcanic activity, ancient Inca civilization and animal population.

The three episodes air back-to-back beginning at 8 p.m. Monday on the Discovery Channel.

29 years old and still counting

Preschool children are still encouraged to ask questions and search for solutions as ``Sesame Street,'' the program that has been introducing letters and numbers to youngsters throughout the world, finds even more creative - and fun - ways to teach children in its 29th year on the air.

The Muppets and the folks who live on Sesame Street share their everyday lives by explaining individual responsibilities as well as the feelings they share with their neighbors. Young viewers are also introduced to the wonders of science in a way they can appreciate, including a simple explanation of what light is, what dark is and where shadows come from.

``Sesame Street'' airs at 6 and 6:30 a.m. daily; 10 and 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday on KCET (Channel 28).

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Photo

Photo: The Python roller coaster at the Tampa, Fla., Busch Gardens is one of the rides covered in ``The Secret World of Amusement Parks,'' airing Sunday on the Learning Channel's ``TLC Presents.''