José M. Hernández’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and the power of dreams. From growing up as a migrant farmworker to becoming one of NASA's few Hispanic astronauts, his journey is a true inspiration to students of all ages. His story has been brought to life in the film "A Million Miles Away," which is a perfect educational tool for teachers to inspire their students in a bilingual or multicultural classroom setting.
In this blog post, we’ll explore who José M. Hernández is, discuss key themes from the movie, and provide activities that teachers can use to engage students with his story.
Who is José M. Hernández?
José M. Hernández was born in French Camp, California, to Mexican immigrant parents. Growing up, his family frequently moved between the U.S. and Mexico due to the nature of their farm labor work. This constant mobility made school difficult for young José, but his passion for math and science drove him to excel despite the challenges.
At 12, José learned English and quickly began to thrive in his studies. He went on to attend the University of the Pacific, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering, followed by advanced studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His persistence led him to NASA, where he fulfilled his dream of becoming an astronaut, participating in the STS-128 mission in 2009.
His story of overcoming obstacles is now immortalized in the film "A Million Miles Away," an excellent resource for students to learn about perseverance, hard work, and the value of education.
Key Themes in the Film
"A Million Miles Away" beautifully captures several important themes, making it an engaging and thought-provoking film for classroom discussions. Here are some key themes that can spark deep conversations with students:
Perseverance and Determination
Despite facing rejection 11 times before being accepted by NASA, Hernández never gave up on his dream. This determination can inspire students to pursue their own goals, no matter how difficult the journey might be.The Power of Education
Education played a pivotal role in Hernández’s life. Teachers can highlight the importance of math, science, and language skills in achieving dreams, especially in STEM fields.Family Support and Sacrifice
Throughout the film, we see how José’s family worked together to support each other. This can lead to discussions on the importance of family and community support in reaching personal goals.Cultural Identity and Representation
As one of the few Hispanic astronauts, Hernández’s story provides representation for many Latino students who may not see themselves reflected in STEM careers. This can open up conversations about diversity in science and space exploration.
Classroom Activities with "A Million Miles Away"
To enhance students’ engagement with the film and José’s inspiring story, teachers can implement the following activities:
STEM Career Exploration (Grades 3-6)
After watching the film, have students research different careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). They can present on a STEM career that interests them and discuss the education path needed, inspired by José’s own journey into engineering and space.Dream Collage (Grades K-2)
Ask students to create a collage or drawing of their own dreams and what they want to be when they grow up. Connect this activity to José’s childhood dream of becoming an astronaut and how he worked hard to achieve it.Family Stories (Grades 3-6)
Encourage students to write or share stories about their family traditions or how their families support them in their education, similar to how José’s family worked in the fields and supported his dreams. This can be done as a writing prompt or an oral presentation.- Building Rockets (All Grades)
For a hands-on STEM activity, have students build and launch small model rockets or paper airplanes. Teachers can tie this into a science lesson on flight, gravity, and space exploration, relating it back to José’s work as an astronaut. Bilingual Vocabulary (Grades K-6)
Use the film to introduce bilingual vocabulary related to space and science. Create a vocabulary list in both English and Spanish, and ask students to create flashcards or match words with pictures. This activity can deepen their language skills while connecting to the film’s theme of bilingualism.Class Discussion: Overcoming Obstacles (All Grades)
Host a class discussion where students reflect on obstacles they have faced in their lives. Relate it to José’s own challenges growing up as a migrant farmworker, learning English, and getting rejected multiple times by NASA before finally succeeding. This activity encourages students to think about resilience and perseverance.Space-Themed Writing Prompt (Grades 2-6)
Ask students to imagine they are astronauts going on a space mission, just like José. Have them write a short story about their adventures in space. This can tie into lessons on creative writing and space science.
Why José M. Hernández’s Story Matters for Students
The story of José M. Hernández is not only about personal success but also about how dedication and education can lead to amazing accomplishments. By sharing his journey and showing the film "A Million Miles Away," teachers have the opportunity to inspire students to pursue their own dreams, embrace their cultural identity, and never give up, no matter how hard things might get.
Whether through creative activities, STEM challenges, or discussions about overcoming obstacles, there are many ways to use Hernández’s story to motivate students and open their eyes to the possibilities of the future.
Have you shared "A Million Miles Away" with your students? Let us know how it inspired your classroom!
Would you like more classroom activity ideas or resources based on inspiring figures like José M. Hernández? Check out the Ready to Teach Bilinguals store on Teachers Pay Teachers for more engaging lessons and materials. click here!
regards,
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