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OCTOBER SKY
Educator Information
Video Questions | Vocab &
Discussion | Answers |
Activity1 | Activity 2
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:
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
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