Jackson students get out of this world experience with NASA art project

Amy L. Knapp, The Independent
·4 min read
Graham Delauder is helped by teacher Lindsay Fuzer as he creates artwork in his fourth grade class at Strausser Elementary School in Jackson Township. Fuzer's class created drawings that will be etched onto a satellite to be launched by NASA later in 2022. Strausser was one of five schools in the U.S. to be selected for the project.
Graham Delauder is helped by teacher Lindsay Fuzer as he creates artwork in his fourth grade class at Strausser Elementary School in Jackson Township. Fuzer's class created drawings that will be etched onto a satellite to be launched by NASA later in 2022. Strausser was one of five schools in the U.S. to be selected for the project.

JACKSON TWP. – This is one classroom art project that is out of this world.

Students in Lindsay Fuzer's fourth-grade class at Strausser Elementary School during the past school year were asked to create artwork to adorn the outside of a NASA satellite that will be launched into space.

For more than a year, organizers and students had to keep the project under wraps as classrooms across the United States created the artwork for the first kids art show in space.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Fuzer said. "It's the first time kids get to send a message to the universe."

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The 26 Jackson fourth graders spent a few art classes creating their masterpieces that answer the question, "What are you most proud of about Earth that you’d want to share with the universe?"

Fuzer said the students were asked to consider what makes the Earth a good neighbor if there is anything else out there.

the students put pencil to paper to answer the question and create their drawings on a 6-by-6 square.

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Quinn Schuring knew from the start what she was going to draw - her family, including mom and dad, Allison and Derrick, and her younger siblings Everett, Lucy and Owen.

Strausser Elementary School fourth-grader Quinn Schuring draws a picture of her family, which she says is the most important thing on earth. Schuring and her classmates were asked to create drawings that could be etched onto a satellite that will be launched by NASA in 2022.
Strausser Elementary School fourth-grader Quinn Schuring draws a picture of her family, which she says is the most important thing on earth. Schuring and her classmates were asked to create drawings that could be etched onto a satellite that will be launched by NASA in 2022.

"They are the most important thing on earth (to me)," the 10-year-old said. "They support me. They help me. I love them and they love me."

In the drawing, Schuring and her family are holding hands while Everett is perched on dad's shoulders.

Strausser Elementary School fourth grader Quinn Schuring draws a picture of her family, which she says is the most important thing on the planet. Schuring and her classmates were asked to create drawings that could be etched onto a satellite that will be launched by NASA.
Strausser Elementary School fourth grader Quinn Schuring draws a picture of her family, which she says is the most important thing on the planet. Schuring and her classmates were asked to create drawings that could be etched onto a satellite that will be launched by NASA.

Nine-year-old Mais Zahlouk drew three flowers and a bumblebee buzzing the flora.

"I think flowers are pretty cool," she said admitting her artwork going to space is probably the closest she'll ever get to the great unknown.

She'd love to know what is out there.

Besides family and flowers, students drew beach scenes and animals like horses, cheetahs and fish.

Other students depicted their favorite seasons while others drew friends holding hands to symbolize friendship and a peace sign.

Tate Husted examines artwork he created in his fourth grade classroom at Strausser Elementary School in Jackson Township. Husted and his classmates were asked to create artwork that answered what they are most proud of about Earth. Their artwork along with other artwork created by students from around the country will be etched onto a U.S. satellite that will be launched into space by NASA.

Tate Husted drew a snowman.

"Snow is unique," the 10-year-old said. "The little specks of snow are individual but all together they create the snowman."

How Strausser School got together with NASA

Strausser was selected by DrawTogether and NASA.

Fuzer began using online art lessons created by New York Times bestselling illustrator Wendy MacNaughton and her company DrawTogether when classes were shut down because of COVID-19.

MacNaughton created the online classes to help kids and their parents during school closures.

Strausser fourth grader Noah Reed outlines a Christmas tree he created.
Strausser fourth grader Noah Reed outlines a Christmas tree he created.

After using the lessons with her students, Fuzer reached out to DrawTogether to say thanks for the free lessons.

"They were like, 'You're an educator using it?'"

From there, Fuzer began working with the group to develop educational material.

"It was one of those connecting with the right people," Fuzer said about the students' opportunity to provide artwork to NASA.

Jackson's elementary curriculum coordinator, Becky Gribble, said Fuzer is a creative teacher always looking for ways to expand learning.

A trained social worker, McNaughton not only incorporates art basics into her lessons but also centers them around social and emotional learning, Fuzer said.

Jenna Serra creates her artwork in her fourth grade classroom at Strausser Elementary School in Jackson Township. The creations will be etched onto a satellite that will be launched by NASA. Strasser is one of five schools in the United States to be selected for the project.
Jenna Serra creates her artwork in her fourth grade classroom at Strausser Elementary School in Jackson Township. The creations will be etched onto a satellite that will be launched by NASA. Strasser is one of five schools in the United States to be selected for the project.

McNaughton teaches students lessons such as not being afraid of making mistakes, how to deal with anxiety and how to be more creative and confident, she said.

The impromptu online art classes have grown into a YouTube channel and podcasts and DrawTogether classrooms that Fuzer continues to use in her classroom.

"She saw the need when we were home," Fuzer said. "The first lesson she had 12,000 watching, the next 16,000."

McNaughton provided an art lesson once a day for several weeks throughout the shutdown.

Maelle Douglas and Graham Deluder take a break from creating artwork to make a pencil mustache in their fourth-grade class at Strausser Elementary School in Jackson Township.
Maelle Douglas and Graham Deluder take a break from creating artwork to make a pencil mustache in their fourth-grade class at Strausser Elementary School in Jackson Township.

The drawings were due to NASA last November and Fuzer said the children's artwork could be shrunk down to the size of a postage stamp.

According to DrawTogether, designer Alvaro Villanueva, DrawnTogether and NASA  will shape these drawings into a unifying image that will soon be etched into the side of a satellite, then carried into space on a SpaceX rocket.

It is unclear when the satellite will be launched, but Fuzer is hopeful the students will be able to watch the launch together. They also hope to set up a virtual visit with NASA to be able to see the process of turning their masterpieces into etches on the satellite.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com 

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Out of this world project puts Jackson students' art on NASA satellite