October Sky

Recently, I have finished watching the movie known as "October Sky". This movie is about a young man who hopes to build a rocket after the launch of Sputnik in the late 1950's. In this movie, there are many aspects of science and math, such as the rocket. Building a rocket is complex because the math used to create it is calculus. The angle of placement of the rocket must be perpendicular to the ground so that the angle of elevation is 90 degrees, causing the rocket to go straight up. Also, the angle of trajectory must be precise so that the rocket does not fall anywhere hazardous when launching the rocket. Next, these young adults were all in a school in hope of entering the Intel Science fair and winning it. This science fair is a place where all of the most renowned high schools students go to show off their amazing inventions. Most people who win get full scholarships to the school of their choice. Over the years, the people who have win the science fair have gone on to make a name for themselves, to become successful, and to have an effect on the future. In my opinion, it is unbelievable that boys from a coal mining town were able to overcome all odds and win the science fair.

Not only did this movie relate to math and science it also related to character education traits. Cooperation, assertion, respect, and self-control are all used well in this movie. It showed self-control because Homer's father never even cared about his hobbies, all he wanted was that he would be a coal miner. Homer never acted out towards his father except in one scene where he yelled at him. In addition, all the boys showed great cooperation and respect for each other because it is hard to build a rocket with your friends, especially when one of the people who built the rocket with them was shunned by all of the other people in the school. They may have gotten into some fights, but they pulled it off. Lastly, this movie showed assertion because above all of the doubters out in the world, and especially to their city, they asserted themselves and believed that they could do it. When they finally looked up and saw that their rocket was out of sight, they knew that they have succeeded. This miraculous story touched my heart and let me know that anything is possible.