NASA’S ART & THE COSMIC CONNECTION
Art Activates Science Discovery
Explore our solar system through visual art! Learn to decipher the complex geologic stories of planets and moons using the Elements of Art. Lines, shapes, color, value and texture become “clues” to explore the cosmos. Hone observation skills and put detective skills to work during creative and fun art projects in any media ~ pastel, collage, even ceramics. Science inspires art and art empowers deep science learning!
Designed by Eurekus & McREL International for NASA’s Discovery & New Frontiers Programs
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K-12th Grade
College Students
Adult Learners
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1.5 - 2 hours
Chunk out in 2 phases - Presentation & Art Making
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Space Science
Earth Science
Math
Geology
Geography
Visual Art
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In-class, Hybrid or Online Learning
Implementation Steps
Overview
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A&CC connects visual art concepts to the analysis of satellite images. You can easily customize your investigation depending on which world you are exploring. We have designed several versions of this program.
Solar System Version
Mars Version
Lunar Version
Earth/Water Version (Goldilock’s Planet Project)
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Download presentations, planners, & resources below. Print and laminate the inspiration images of your choice. Watch the introductory PD videos to get started. And, check our Educator Guide for lesson details & Standards.
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You can use any media for the art project. We love to use soft pastel and have included supply lists in the Educator Guide.
You can also create with collage, oil pastel, painting, mixed-media and even ceramics. Collect supplies based how you would like to implement the art project.
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Explore our gallery of student work for inspiration. Be creative as you customize this program for your community. Watch the slideshow of class examples and think of ways you can tailor for your learners. And, check out the videos of students making during our NASA workshop at Denver School of the Arts!
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Customize and give your PowerPoint presentation in class. Tour the solar system and Earth with amazing NASA images. Encourage lots of questions & discussion.
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Have learners pick a beautiful NASA image to inspire their art making. They will connect the Elements of Art to geologic stories.
Use any art media of your choice. Creating encourages learners to dive deeper into concepts, hone observational skills and boost critical thinking.
Planners, Templates & Handouts
Get Resources
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Download the guide for instructions, supplies & standards. You can also check out the NASA lesson website. And we’ve included a video of the program being launched at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
If you would like to search for your own images, check out:
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Download the PowerPoint Presentations based on which version you are doing. You can customize slides based on your students and interests. The discussion notes have lots of great science tips and a helpful script.
Large files are housed on Google Drive. Make sure your security settings will allow you to download.
Earth/Water Version (See our Goldilocks Planet Project Page)
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Download awesome NASA remote sensing images based on the version you are doing. We recommend printing and laminating these so you can use them again & again.
Introductory Videos
Watch the following PD Videos from our NASA Educator Workshop and Education Closet’s Winter STEAM Conference to help you get started.
Integrations & Adaptations
Customize Your Content & Media
You can easily adapt storylines by customizing your presentation and selecting specific NASA prints to inspire art-making. You can even research your own images at NASA’s website or tour Google Earth. This is a robust program that can excite many curricular topics ~ solar system journeys, water on Mars, geometry on planet Earth, etc. Check out the slideshow below to see classroom examples of exciting curricular integrations using various art media.
You can easily adapt storylines by selecting specific remote sensing images to inspire investigation & art-making.
Kindergarten kids at C3 Elementary investigate geometric patterns on Earth.
They then created collages inspired by Google Earth images using 2D shapes.
Teachers printed 2D shapes onto scrapbook paper and students had to ask for their shapes by name - circle, square, rectangle, trapezoid, etc.
Their works were displayed at a local gallery and the program was used to meet math, art & science standards.
6th Graders at Pinedale Middle School investigated the solar system using pastels during STEM class.
They picked a world to investigate for the week and learned about geologic processes.
They then used this knowledge to ground their designs as they engineered NASA’s Simple Machines Shoebox Rover.
Summer campers at the Mizel Museum took a close look at remote sensing images of Earth. They created collages on panel using art materials and old books.
They investigated the concept of the Anthropocene and looked at changes on Earth marked by human impact.
They also investigated geography & geometry while exploring countries around the globe.
Their works were exhibited for a community show and family presentation.
At Wheaton College in Massachusetts, faculty and students united to create a transdisciplinary public art piece.
They took a close look at Saturn’s moon Titan and learned to analyze radar images with NASA scientist & planetary department head Dr. Geoffrey Collins.
They then created mixed-media panels using up-cycled materials to interpret Titan radar images.
Participants were from the art, geology and education departments. They were asked to customize their creations based on their discipline (some even added poetry!)
Their works were installed as a public art piece in the college's new science building.
In celebration of the Total Solar Eclipse of 2017, Wyoming 3rd-5th graders took a deep dive into lunar science.
They investigated enhanced color images of the moon and learned about how color is an important tool in spectroscopy, topography, & gravity maps.
They made collages on panels with Modge Dodge & colored tissue paper to interpret their NASA images.
Denver School of the Arts high-schoolers did a investigation themed "Place & Space". They started with space inspired pastels.
They then toured Google Earth and picked a place on their home world that was important to them ~ from a societal or environmental perspective.
They created gorgeous mixed-media paintings and presented reflections about their research topic.
The process became very personal and helped with community building within the Visual Art Department. Their works were installed for a school-wide exhibition.
Campers in Jackson Hole embarked upon a 2-week investigation of Inner and Outer Space.
They explored the solar system and made mixed-media works to investigate the concept of Outer Space.
They then explored Inner Space by contemplating the concept of Earth's “biosphere.” They researched environmental and ecological topics on their home planet.
They created ceramic tiles to interpret NASA remote sensing images of Earth.
Clay was awesome because it allowed students to sculpt geologic landforms.
Even the highschool interns got so excited they decided to participate!
Their works were celebrated in a community show at the Art Association of Jackson Hole.
Collage with paper is also a great media to investigate the concept of layers and stratigraphy.
Wyoming 1st-5th graders created planetary collages and wrote Stratigraphy Stories interpreting layers they saw in their NASA images.
Then students made clay tables to dig deeper.
They learned a ton about ceramics and loved applying glazes.
They’re gorgeous works were displayed at an end-of-camp show.
A&CC can even be done in a theater format. Here, Eurekus co-founder Monica Aiello presents for families at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Library.
Student volunteers helped guide the audience in “reading” the geologic stories seen on Mars. And, all participants had fun with a live, drawing activity.
Education majors at the University of Northern Colorado have a blast exploring our Goldilocks Planet version, investigating water topics on Earth.
They learned how lines and shapes can be “clues” to understand hydrology and ecology while adapting the lesson for their own interests.
3rd grade students at Centennial Elementary took a close look at Google Earth to investigate river basins. Here’s some works inspired by the Colorado River.
These girls took a close look at changes in the Mississippi River delta over time.
