Digital images of student artwork submitted to the Space Foundation Student Art Contest held in conjunction with the recent National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs is taking up residence on the International Space Station. The 36 pieces of artwork traveled aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on its final voyage last month.The Space Foundation Student Art Contest invited students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from across the nation to submit original artwork depicting the theme “Human Space Travel in the Year 2020,” resulting in entries from more than 150 students in 13 states. Thirty-six works of art were recognized and displayed at the National Space Symposium, held last April in Colorado Springs, where they caught the eye of a Japan Space Forum representative attending the event. JSF invited the Space Foundation to add images of the art to drawings, paintings, writings and photos created by Japanese students being sent to the ISS through a Japanese program called TERRAHEART.The TERRAHEART project works with teachers in schools and other educational institutions in Japan to stimulate discussion about the future in the context of space.”Having their art sent to the ISS is a special unexpected treat for the students who created such remarkable space-themed art,” said Space Foundation vice president of education, Iain Probert. “The invitation to join the mission was based on the caliber of the winning work that was on display at the Symposium. The winners should be very proud.”The winners of the Space Foundation Art Contest from Falcon School District 49 and their entry categories:Peyton ElementaryEmilee Ullom, second place, grades 6-8, multimediaSand Creek High SchoolAudry Ancell, third place, grades 9-12, drawingKadre Disnute, second place, grades 9-12, paintingColleen Fannin, first place, grades 9-12, painting, and grand prize, grades 9-12Dillon Irish, first place, grades 9-12, drawingJin Kim, third place, grades 9-12, paintingJoann Wong, second place, grades 9-12, multimediaPhotos of the winning artwork and the National Space Symposium awards ceremony can be seen at http://2011.nationalspacesymposium.org/media/photo-galleries
