OCTOBER SKY

Educator Information

Content Areas:

Earth and space science, physics of forces and motion, chemical reactions

Grade Levels: 9-12

 National Science Content Standards:

A = Science as Inquiry
B = Physical Science
D = Earth and Space Science
E = Science and Technology
F = Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
G = History and Nature of Science

Synopsis:

In this adaptation of Homer Hickam’s “Rocket Boys” a boy with his friends, inspired by Sputnik,  discover rocketry and construct their own rocket test facility in a coal mining town. His science teacher helps him enter the science fair. He and his partners win the science fair and a life beyond Coalwood.One of the rockets wins a science fair prize, setting the author on a path to NASA.

Good Science:

Rocket parts and functions are accurately described. Proper lab safety is modeled by students. Correct explanations are given for the motion of propellant gas through the nozzle of a rocket.

Bad Science:

Students in the film did not show their careful documentation of their experiments. Such documentation is described in the book, Rocket Boys. The boys unsafely prepare rocket fuel with alcohol over an open flame.

Note to teachers:

• Warn students that rocketry is a dangerous activity: proper equipment, safety practices, supervision and knowledge are required.
• This film is recommended for high school classes only, due to mature language ("ass, damn, hell, son of a bitch")

World Wide Web Sites:

• The Universal Pictures October Sky Study Guide is available from http://www.universalpictures.copm/octobersky/studyguide
• Visit Homer Hickam, Jr.’s Web site at http://www.homerhickam.com to find out more about the author’s career in space flight and to ask him a question.
• Learn about amateur rocketry. The National Association of Rocketry Web page can link you to local clubs and the Model Rocket Safety Code: http://www.nar.org.
• The Academy of Model Aeronautics Web page includes links to clubs nationwide, and to helpful files such as the National Rocketry Safety Guidelines. Http://www.modelaircraft.org
• Observe satellites passing overhead. The Heavens Above Web page will give you the schedule of visible satellites and times for your location. http://www.heavens-above.com
• For more activities related to the science of flight, see the WebWings Web page at http://www.bsu.edu/academy/webwings

As the information available on the Web is constantly changing we recommend that you search for new sites that relate to this lesson/film.

 Media Center Extension:

• Assist students in conducting an author study of Homer Hickam as an autobiographer and historian.
• Organize a Young Astronaut club at the school. Visit http://www.yac.org/yac/ for more information.
• Contact the State or school district science coordinator to find out if your school participates in science fair. Act as a school liaison to support science teachers and students participation.
• Develop a print or online collection of resources to support science fair projects.

 Reading Extension:

• Book October Sky or Rocket Boys and sequels The Coalwood Way and Sky of Stone by Homer Hickam

Return to the Learning Science With Science Fiction Main Page