October Sky Review

"If you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything." This quote ran through my head as I watched the inspirational movie, October Sky. October Sky is a great movie about Homer Hickam, a young man living in Coalwood, West Virginia. Coalwood is a small mining town where every young child's destiny is to work in the nearby coal mine. Sadly, Homer had to go against his father's wishes of becoming a coal miner to build the rocket of his dreams. This movie shows the story of Homer Hickam and his peers, facing extreme challenges to reach their goals. They were stopped by many roadblocks, but using perseverance and determination to overcome them. Homer's inspiration, Sputnik, was a work of art and inspired people that anything is possible. When Homer started building his rockets, he used extreme care and patience. It took some time for the rocket to be built, but that didn't stop Homer from building them and launching them, striving to win the National Science Fair. This competition would help Homer and his friends gain scholarships to great colleges, and free them from the wrath of the coal mines. With their teacher's help, the boys slowly gain knowledge on the subject of rockets. When the Science Fair came by, Homer taught the crowd how rockets worked and the many interesting facts about rockets such as the different parts. Homer's rocket was somewhat like a military missile. It flew high into the sky and then suddenly because of science, darted towards the ground at tremendous speeds. Because of that, one day the boys were accused of starting a forest fire with their rocket, putting their dreams to a halt. Later, using advanced math and science skills, Homer showed that he didn't start the fire and that he and his fellow rocket builders were not guilty. After overcoming all these obstacles, Homer Hickam and his Rocket Boys came to be the winners of the National Science Fair and successful men. Even though everything seemed happy, all wasn't. Those who had no futures outside of the mines eventually died of lung cancer and other harmful diseases. It was a very hazardous, treacherous job that had to be done in order for the town's success and growth. The miners had no gas masks like we have today and sadly inhaled all the harmful intoxicating gases located in the mines. Also, this movie showed Character Education traits. These traits are Cooperation, Assertion, Respect, and Self Control. Cooperation is showed when Homer works with his peers to build his rocket and rise to fame. Assertion is showed when Homer asserted himself and believed that he could achieve his goals. Respect is shown when Homer shows respect towards his family and takes on the role of a coal miner, to support his family. Self Control is shown when Homer listens to his father's orders of stopping rocket building and not getting mad about it. All in all, the Rocket Boys have inspired many to strive for their goals. October Sky is a great movie and worth watching over and over again.

Patau's Syndrome

http://www.sokka-silverstar.blogspot.com/

This is the link to a peer's blog.

Patau's Syndrome is a very deadly disease. I feel really sad just thinking of the victims of this terrible sickness. The oldest person to have lived with this disease was 33! That's a really young age to die. There are many harmful symptoms such as incomplete eyesight and smelling nerves, deafness,cleft lip and/or palate, a flat face, lowered or malformed ears, extra fingers or toes along with deformed hands and feet, respiratory difficulties and heart defects, and severe organ malformities. I hope that that scientists find a cure for this terrible malformity and that its victims recover.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Phenylketonuria is a very rare but harmful disorder. Phenylketonuria is caused from low levels of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). Discovered in 1934 by Ivar Asbjørn Følling, this disease has many symptoms. Musty odor of skin, hair, and urine are just a few. More serious symptoms include loss of weight, vomiting frequently, constant diarrhea, and skin problems such as eczema. The treatment for these disease is a life-long special reduced protein diet because too much protein in the diet will kill the victim. Sadly, even though there is a way to prevent death, about 27,000 deaths occur a year. Asians and Whites are more vulnerable to this disease. Thankfully, Phenylketonuria is very rare and not many get it. The chances of getting PKU is 1 in 10,000 so its a rare possibility if you get it. With much research, scientists have learned that PKU is a recessive trait, so if one of your parents have the trait, you might become a carrier of the disease. Personally, I find this disease terrible and I wish that no one had it. I feel bad for those who have PKU and I hope they are in treatment. Phenylketonuria is a dangerous disease, but if treated, the patient can have a normal lifestyle.