Space Shuttle Discovery Launch

Yesterday I took the kids to see the end of an era. We got a good view of the last Discovery launch. It was thrilling to hear the countdown, see the smoke billow up, then the shuttle lift off and soar away with a roar. The only down side was the three hour traffic jam afterward.

This has me thinking about watching one of our favorite movies again, October Sky.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY WEEK: Apollo 11

TITLE: Neil, Buzz, and Mike Go to the Moon

AUTHOR (and illustrator): Richard Hilliard

WHAT TERRITORY WAS EXPLORED AND WHEN? Humans stepped on the moon for the first time on July 20, 1969.

WHO DID THE EXPLORING? Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were the first astronauts to fly to the moon. Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon, while Collins orbited it.

HOW WAS THE TRIP? This book describes how training evolved for these three astronauts who all started out as pilots in the U.S. military. When they were accepted into the NASA astronaut program they became members of the Mercury Project, which gave them practice controlling a capsule in outer space. Then this trio had to go through project Gemini, which gave them experience working and walking in space. These were followed by the Apollo program which had 17 missions. But, of course, this book focuses on Apollo 11, from it’s liftoff to it’s moon landing and then it’s Pacific splashdown.

WHAT WAS GAINED? Besides a collection of lunar rocks, soil and dust, a better sense of how humans can perform in space was gained. Back on Earth, American pride swelled with the knowledge that great minds working together were capable of accomplishing such an astonishing feat.

This book is illustrated with nice paintings and includes sidebars with more information.

Ages 4-9
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Activity: www.nasa.gov offers a fun interactive site called Nasa Kids' Club.

3, 2, 1, Blast Off!

Vaguely familiar. That's how I would have described my awareness of:
1. Graphic novels
2. Canine cosmonauts

Then I read Laika and discovered that graphic novels seem like a cross between a book and a movie and that a dog named Laika was the first living earthling to be launched into outer space. After reading about this 1957 Russian endeavor, I can't imagine being introduced to the story of Sputnik 2 in any other genre. Nick Abadzis accomplishes an amazing feat by combining impressive research, lively artwork and effective story-telling. This award-winning book gives insight into the Russian push to excel at space exploration, the bleak Communist lifestyle, and of course the people and the dog involved in this mission. Even though it is not a happy ending, it was a treat to read.

Ages 12 and up
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Reading about Laika brought to mind a movie my whole family thoroughly enjoyed and watched time and again. October Sky is the true story of some West Virginia school boys whose rocket project won the national science fair in the late 50's. In one scene, Homer, the main character is doing what he swore he would never do...going down into the coal mine to work (due to family circumstances). As he is lowered into the mine shaft he sees Sputnik 1 trekking across his last glimpse of sky. The cage begins it's dark descent and an old timer says to Homer regarding his headlamp, "turn your light on boy." We love this line!! My husband and I often tell our son as he is leaving the house for the bus stop on dark winter mornings, "turn your light on boy."

In real life Homer grew up to work for NASA. I highly recommend this feel good, family movie!

Ages 9 and up
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Activity: This is the rocket my son enjoyed building at school. It is only $6.58 and it has earned lots of positive customer feedback.