"October Sky"

"October Sky" was an intriguing movie, and an inspiration to follow your dreams. With the help of Ms. Riley, a school teacher, and his friends, and the excitement of the Russian’s Sputnik, the main character Homer Hickam changed society and brought new hope to his community, as well as, to himself and his family. Homer as a high school student was fascinated by the works of a rocket and the science behind it. With the support of his teacher and help of his friends, Homer began working on building his own rocket to enter in the science fair. Day after day these boys boys became know as "Rocket Boys," and their efforts were seen as a waste of time. As the boys began to successfully start flying rockets many became interested as well, although Homer's father disapproved with this nonsense. Along with Homer's father disaproving of rockets, the Rocket Boys also encountered other obstacles. At this time in Coalwood, West Virginia, students would normally spend the rest of their life working in the cold mines after graduating, with the only exception of getting a football scholarship. Everyone was familiar with the dangers of working in the mines and the non guarantee that you would come back alive once u went down. The toxcicating fumes the workers breath soon lead to horrible illness and lung cancer. Another example, was when the Rocket Boys were being accused of starting a major forest fire and arrested as well as shutting down the rocket sight. After getting out of jail, Homer experiences a day in the cold mines to for fill his fathers spot while he was injured, so his borther could go to collage, although Homer was determined to prove himself to everyone. Homer studies the rate, time and distance to figure out where their one missing rocket could have landed that had supposedly started the forest fire. After through a night full of math Homer and his friends measure out the distance and then add the wind resisantance, and find the rocket. The accused charger are removed and the Rocket Boys find the confidence to continue for filling their dream. Homer found himself chosing between obeying his father and following his dreams. After Ms. Riley's encouragement and the efforts of his friends, the Rocket Boys began making a working rocket for hte science fair. After an endless time of error and trial the Rocket Boys find themselves with a rocket that uses alcohol fuel and heavy steal that can sustain the heat from the burning. With the new improvements the Rokcet Boys win the science fair and the nationals as well. Homer wins the first schoolarship for science instead of football and his father understands and respects him as well.
Character Education plays a big part in this movie, cooperation, emapthy, respect, self- control and assertion. Throughout the movie the Rocket Boys show a great deal of cooperation, helping each other in their strenghts and weaknessed to build this rocket. They worked together day and night, and never gave up. Although they had some disagreements they were a well working team. Respect is an aspect of the movie shown in the changing views of people in the community. The first to support and respect the science in their dream was Ms.Riley, and soon after the fellow students and neighbors. Homer gained respect from his father by proving to him that science is important too in winning the national science fair and getting the schoolarship. Homer showed emapthy toward Ms. Riley by continuing his dream and making her feel like she had accomplished something as a teacher, and that she was not a waste of life, she had done somethign good for people. In "October Sky" there was also a show of self- control. Homer showed self- control by trying to explain to this father and not getting mad when he did not understand. All in all, "October Sky" is a remeberable and interesting movie.