Pitsco is currently beginning the process of updating all of our STEM build videos. For the Solid-Fuel Rockets video, the introduction included information about Homer Hickam. Homer is the author of Rocket Boys, which was the motivation for the popular movie October Sky (the title October Sky is an anagram of Rocket Boys).
Rocket Boys is based on Hickam's life, an inspirational story about his dream to become a rocket scientist. As a young man, Hickam and five of his friends formed the Rocket Boys, a group who designed, built, and launched rockets. Homer went onto become a NASA engineer. His book is studied in many school systems.
When we were putting the video together, we contacted Hickam's wife, Linda, to ask if she had any pictures that we could use in our video of Hickam and his Rocket Boys. Linda graciously sent us some of Homer's pictures for use in the video.
In return for the use of the pictures, she asked that we send some of our rockets and the finished build video to the Birmingham Rocket Boys Club. This club was started by Ron Witherspoon and Trennon Nickerson, who were inspired by Homer and his story after watching the movie October Sky. The club was started in 2003. They meet regularly and launch rockets. Their goal is to teach at-risk children the science behind rockets, provide the children a positive activity to participate in and inspire them to achieve great things and aim high.
Witherspoon met Hickam at a book singing in 2004 and told Hickam about the club they started and Hickam has been a strong supporter of the Birmingham Rocket Boys ever since.
We appreciate Linda's generous gift of the pictures for our video and more importantly, for introducing us to clubs such as the Birmingham Rocket Boys. Pitsco thrives when we can contribute to the education of children and aid in their success.
The new STEM video will be available soon for purchase. If you would like to read more about Hickam and the Birmingham Rocket Boys Club, please check out the article Hickam wrote in Parade magazine.
Please visit our web site for the purchase of our Solid-Fuel Rockets, Hickam's book Rocket Boys (renamed October Sky), or the movie October Sky.