Cleared of charges after explosion, Florida teen gets full scholarship to space academy

[freshwest]

17. The two sisters and more, including a movie about Homer:

Kiera Wilmot (L) and her sister Kayla (R)

Homer Hickam, portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal in the movie October Sky, has joined the ranks of scientists and engineers around the globe in support of Kiera Wilmot - the 16-year-old Florida student who found herself in hot water after her science experiment went awry.

Wilmot, who has an outstanding school record and whose mother works in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field, was expelled from school permanently and arrested by police after her science experiment caused a small explosion. Although not authorized by her teacher, no one was hurt in the incident and no damage was caused. Kiera was also charged with possession and discharge of a weapon on school grounds and discharging a destructive device: both felonies.

Homer Hickam can relate to Kiera. In his famous memoir Rocket Boys, adapted into the film October Sky by Universal Studios, Hickam chronicled his own unauthorized experiments with rockets, including a scene where the police showed up at his high school to take him and his friends away in handcuffs.

After being made aware of Kiera's similar situation, Hickam decided to take action by personally offering her a scholarship to the United States Advanced Space Academy. ASA is a branch of the famous Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama (www.spacecamp.com/camp/asa) and offers a college-accredited program through the University of Alabama in Huntsville that includes STEM education plus college and career preparation...

DONATE

To find out how you can contribute to the fund for Kayla, please visit our fundraising link at www.crowdtilt.com/campaigns/kayla-wilmot-space-academy-scholarship.

100% of the donated funds will be given to the Wilmot family in aid of scholarship tuition, required transportation and supplies for the Academy.

Contact: Burke Allen [phone]

http://spaceref.com/nasa-hack-space/homer-hickam-supports-high-school-student-whose-science-project-got-her-expelled-and-arrested.html



Mr. Hickam is married to Linda Terry Hickam, an artist and his first editor and assistant. They love their cats and share their time between homes in Alabama and the Virgin Islands.

http://www.homerhickam.com/about/bio.shtml