Celebrate Space Exploration with International Space Day

Here at Janet's Planet Space Log blog, we're very excited because Friday, May 4 is International Space Day. Started in 1997, Space Day is an educational initiative that takes place each year on either the first Thursday or Friday of May.

The day is a chance for folks everywhere to honor the amazing, incredible achievements in space exploration and all the technological discoveries made over the years. Hundreds of thousands of teachers and millions of students across the globe will participate in different activities that celebrate space on this year's International Space Day.

Maybe your school is participating in Space Day! If not, there are plenty of fun things you can do on your own to celebrate. One way to celebrate National Space Day is by visiting to NASA's website for tons of fun opportunities to learn and play games about space. You could also get a little crafty and make space-themed creations like the ones shown here.

If you want to get some friends together to celebrate space, maybe you could throw a party that is out of this world. Here are some great ideas for decorations, favors and yummy snacks with an outer space theme. Of you might want to whip up a batch of galaxy playing dough.

No matter how you choose to celebrate Space Day, make sure you get a grown-up's permission and help, especially if you're cooking or using craft supplies. Why not take this day to get the whole family together? Space Day might just become your favorite holiday! 

The Art of Space

If you were asked to interpret the work of NASA through art, what would it look like? This is just the question a group of famous artists was asked and the works produced as their answers are in a new show. The show, ‘NASA/Art: 50 Years of Exploration’ is a traveling exhibition of about 50 works of art illustrating different perspectives on space, space travel and exploration. From paintings and drawings to sculpture and photography, the works in this show capture all different aspects of the history of the space program.

Some of the artists involved are Alexander Calder, Annie Leibovitz, Robert Rauschenberg, Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol. Those more artistically inclined Janet’s Planet fans might be wondering how these artists are involved, when many of them are no longer alive. This program actually began way back in 1962, hence the show’s name, 50 Years of Exploration. To see more about this show and plan a visit, follow this link to the Smithsonian Institution.