Reflection # 12

A little over 50 years ago Soviet Russia launched the first rocket on October 4, 1957, Sputnik. The launch of Sputnik traveled 7,000 miles into space. No one knew yet but the launch of Sputnik would change the America and the world forever. It was the worlds first satellite. It traveled around the entire world in about 96 minutes. Sputnik was the first man made equipment that ever flew into outer space.


America was astonished and devastated at the same time that one of their enemies were coming up with tremendous inventions such as this. What made America feel even more embarrassed is that Russia a country thought to be so outdated not only invented the first space flying object but it was successful. This embarrassment changed Americas views in schools to teach more about outer space.

Due to the launching of Sputnik, congress passed the National Defense Education Act on September 2, 1958. This act allowed the United States to provide funding to all United States School institutions at all levels. America was no always considerate to the subject of science. Because of the take off of Sputnik Americas interest in engineering and science based on Space was not very important.

When the National Defense Education Act came into effect, funding were given to institutions to higher their standards and capability too do and be just as good in space science as the Soviet Union. The National Defense Education Act also sponsored trainings for teachers and loans and scholarships to students in college that will ensure the nation's future.