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Rocket Boys in the 21st Century

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NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Bob Kaplow connects the classic Rocket Boys story, which inspired October Sky, to today by showing youth & adults how to safely build & launch rockets. Please register

NASA aerospace engineer Homer Hickam's bestselling memoir Rocket Boys inspired the movie October Sky. Bob Kaplow, a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador since 2008, a longtime, nationally recognized expert in amateur rocketry, connects the classic story of the Rocket Boys to the 21st century by teaching modern youth and adults how to safely build and launch rockets. A local Illinois rocketeer, he frequently leads hands-on STEM programs and community events that emulate the 1950s-era engineering feats of Homer Hickam and his friends.

Bob Kaplow has been interested in rockets and space since the start of the manned space program. He's flown model rockets since 1964, high power rockets since 1989, and competed in rocket events for over four decades. Bob is interested in spaceflight, astronomy, observing Earth satellites, and Green technology. Professionally, he has a Computer Science Engineering degree from Northwestern University, and three decades of experience in the IT industry. He also collects old computer equipment.

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