October Sky: Connections To Science And C.A.R.E.S

In the movie October Sky, science and admirable actions were displayed. Homer was a teenager living in West Virgina and was inspired by the fist Russian rocket called the Sputnik. The Sputnik was the world's fist orbiting space ship that helped identify the upper atmosphere's density as the pressurized nitrogen allowed us to detect meteoroids. In addition to helping the world discover the wonders of outer space, the Sputnik provided Homer with inspiration to create his own rocket to submit in the National Science Fair. Along with an unlikely helper, Quintin, Homer displayed cooperation by building the rocket with a person he would normally not be seen with. In addition respect was shown when a teacher supported the work they did. Homer was determined to follow his dreams although his father had no faith in him and did not support him, thus his self-control was displayed whenever his father would tell him he had no chance in succeeding in the National Science Fair. However, when his father was working in the coal mines he had gotten a serious injury. In order to ensure his family's well-being, Homer had to step up and take his father's job in the coal mines. As the movie progressed the viewers were enlightened about the atmosphere of the coal mines. Coal was used as fuel generation, and also for steel manufacturing. Although coal mining provides us with these things, it is very harmful. Gas poisoning is a hazard in coal mining and so is suffocation and gas explosions. Al in all, the movie October Sky displayed instances of character education numerous times varying from the relationships between the characters and the conflicts that arose time after time displaying the self-control in some characters and respect in others. Science played a huge role in the movie from the history of the coal mines, to the launching of the Sputnik.

Tay Sachs Disease

I read recently about the cruel disease called tay sachs disease. This disease is caused by lipid storage disorder and is then built up in the tissues and nerve cells in the brain. The people effected by this disease are infants in the north-eastern countries. The devastating fact is that infants effected with the disease do not live past the age of 4 or 5 years old. The people most likely to be effected with this disease are people of Eastern Europe and Askhenazi Jewish decent. The terrible symptoms of this disease can be mental and psychical deterioration, paralysis, blindness, and more painful experiences. The tragedy is that there is no treatment for this disease and it will continue to harass people. I am frustrated and devastated to learn that there is no cure to such a horrific disease. It bothers me deeply that some people must wake up in the morning and have to deal with such a disease and be put through so much pain and suffering, and I hope that soon the victims of this disease are put out of their misery and presented with a cure and treatment for his disease.

Information on Tay Sachs disease found here

Genetic Disorder: Sickle Cell Anemia

The disease sickle cell anemia was discovered and explained in 1904. The symptoms of this disease restricts blood flow to an organ which can cause ishemia pain. It can also cause organ damage. The signs of this disease can be fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing and pulmonary infiltrate. However,the treatments for this disease can be hydration and analgesics. The people affected with disease can be both male and female and are expected to live from 42-48 years of age. This disease can affect the world population with 1 in 5,000 chances. The population that is most vulnerable to this disease are the African Americans and 1 in 500 blacks are affected, in addition one in 36,00 Hispanic children have sickle cell anemia. The molecular level for this disease is that copies found in this disease is only one copy of the genes, or mutation. In order to develop more treatments they need to understand how the sickle cell anemia effects the bones, so a medicine can be created and therefore stop the disease from destroying bone marrow.My opinion on this horrendous disease is that it is unfair and cruel for people to undergo such a painful disease, however I hope that there will be more cures for this disease that are much less painful.

Click here to see the information about sickle cell Anemia.