Rocket Math Viewing Guide
Honors Math 5th Hour Movie Math & Science Inquiry
OCTOBER SKY | Movie-In-Motion Math Guide
Watch attentively! Answer questions in chronological order as events unfold on screen.
Name:
Date: Pd:
Viewing Directive: No scratchpad arithmetic needed. Stay alert for numbers, variables, test data, and patterns!
Part 1: The Spark to Auk XII
1. Sputnik 1 in the Night Sky (Quantitative Observation) Coalwood Night Sky
As the town of Coalwood stands outside gazing into the sky, what speed and altitude are reported for the Soviet satellite Sputnik?
Orbital Speed:
Approx. Altitude:
2. Auk I & The Rose Garden Fence (Failed Variable Analysis) First Trial
Homer builds his first rocket, Auk I, using flashlight tubes and powder from cherry bombs.
What was the outcome?
What variable failed? (Circle one): [ Fuel burn rate ] [ Directional nozzle ] [ Casing pressure ] [ All of these ]
3. Partnering with Quentin (Qualitative vs. Quantitative Thinking) The Partnership
When Homer approaches Quentin at school, what does Quentin say rocketry is really about—is it fireworks, or mathematics and engineering?
4. Testing Fuel on the Flat Rock (Controlled Experiments) Fuel Chemistry
The boys test different propellant powders on a flat stone using alcohol, sulfur, and sugar.
Tool used to record reaction time:
Desired fuel burn property:
5. Cape Coalwood: Safety Perimeter & Distance The Slack Dump
After a rocket nearly hits the coal company offices, Homer's dad bans launches inside town limits.
Distance walked to Cape Coalwood:
Why was this location chosen?
6. Measuring Altitude with the Clinometer (Indirect Measurement) Telemetry Station
O'Dell stations himself away from the launch pad with a sighting stick and protractor.
What specific angle does O'Dell measure as the rocket climbs?
Why must he know his exact baseline distance from the launch pad?
October Sky Movie-In-Motion Guide • Honors Math 5th Hour Page 1 of 2 Turn over for Part 2: The Forest Fire Alibi & Science Fair
Case Study OCTOBER SKY • Part 2: Forensic Ballistics & National Recognition
Student Name:
The Accusation: Troopers charge Homer and the boys with igniting a forest fire near Welch.
Forensic Proof
7. Miss Riley's Gift (The Advanced Tool) Academic Mentorship
Miss Riley gives Homer a textbook for his birthday titled Principles of Guided Missile Design.
What advanced branch of math is required?
Who helps Homer learn to interpret the equations?
8. The Forest Fire & The 14-Second Stopwatch Alibi Ballistic Trajectory
When accused of starting the fire near the Welch road (3 miles away), Homer uses flight records from Auk XIII.
Total flight time aloft:
Auk XIII max reach:
Distance to the fire:
9. Testing the Prediction: The Search in the Forest Empirical Recovery
Homer tells Mr. Turner and Principal Turner exactly where Auk XIII landed based on his trajectory math.
Did they find the rocket where calculated?
What actually started the forest fire?
10. The National Science Fair in Indianapolis National Competition
Homer represents Big Creek High School at the National Science Fair.
What component of Homer's display gets stolen?
What award do Homer and the Rocket Boys win?
11. Auk XXII: The Triumphant Final Launch Climax Flight
The entire town gathers at Cape Coalwood for the launch of Auk XXII.
Who is invited to press the launch button?
Reported altitude reached by Auk XXII:
12. Honors Synthesis: Data vs. Guesswork
Reflection
Homer's father John initially dismisses rocketry as "foolish luck," believing only coal mining represents real, predictable work. How did Quentin and Homer prove that trial-and-error backed by numbers and careful data records is the exact opposite of luck?
Active viewing questions • Turn in upon film conclusion Page 2 of 2 October Sky (1999) STEM Curriculum
