Our homeschool journey has always been deeply focused on helping my children see themselves in the world and understanding the rich roots they come from. (mirrors and windows) As a Mexican American mom, I am constantly looking for ways to weave our heritage into our daily lessons, especially in fields like science where our faces have not always been the most visible.
Recently, our family dived into a wonderful unit study centered on the movie A Million Miles Away. The film tells the incredible story of Jose Hernandez, a Mexican American farmworker who navigated a long and difficult path to become a NASA astronaut. Watching his journey was a powerful reminder for all of us that our dreams are beautifully connected to our heritage, and we can find our greatest strength by drawing from it.
For our family, this was a wonderful way to bring Latino representation in STEM to life. If you would like to explore this story with your own children, here is the simple plan we followed to turn this film into a meaningful lesson.
We began by watching the film together, which naturally opens up conversations about the migrant experience and the sacrifices families make for one another. After the movie, you can talk about the five ingredients for success that Jose’s father shared with him. Asking your children which ingredient they think is the most important for their own goals is a wonderful way to practice critical thinking and reflection.
We used a map to trace Jose’s path from the fields of California and Michoacán all the way to the stars. This is a great way to visualize the physical reality of the migrant farmworker circuit. It connects the land to the legacy of the people who work it, and it helps children truly understand the movement of families across borders.
We looked beyond the film to find other Latino pioneers in space and science. We spent time researching Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space, and France Córdova, a brilliant astrophysicist. I want my children to know that the path to discovery has always been walked by people who look like them. This makes history feel alive, personal, and entirely possible.
We ended our study with a reflection on the million mile dream. For this part, have your children write or draw about a big goal they have and the small, steady steps they can take to get there. This helps them see that, just like Jose, their own stories are deeply important.
To wrap everything up, I highly suggest having a culminating activity or project. This is a special part of the unit because it allows the kids to showcase everything they have learned. This time, we opted for launching a model rocket. You might spend an evening stargazing with a telescope or visiting a local space center to see things up close. Things like presentations, reports, or even little performances give the learners a genuine sense of completion and a way to celebrate their hard work.
As you finish your study, it is a good idea to review what you covered. We like to have casual discussions so I can hear what everyone took away and we can reflect together on what worked or what didn't. Connecting the topic to real life and current events helps learners truly bind these lessons to their everyday world.
Lastly, make sure to document the journey for future reference. I cannot tell you how many times someone has asked for book titles or resources, and keeping a quick record ensures those details are always handy. You can use my free unit planner to keep track of your resources and activities so you have them whenever you need them.
This study reminded us that representation matters every single day of the year. Seeing our own stories reflected in history and science gives us a true sense of belonging. I hope this provides you with a clear roadmap and the confidence to create your own unit studies with ease.
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