Time: 45 minutes + | Skill Level: Intermediate | Topic: Printmaking/ Visual Communication

Have you ever been over the moon—that is to say, really excited—about something? In this project, students will make their own series of prints inspired by artist Robert Rauschenberg, who was over the moon about, well, the moon!

In 1969 Rauschenberg spent time at Cape Canaveral leading up to the launch of Apollo 11—the first crewed mission to the moon. The artist remarked, “My head said for the first time the moon was going to have company and [the moon] knew it.” The artist made a group of 34 artworks in response to his time at Cape Canaveral.

Note to teachers: This project is adaptable to students in elementary school and higher. Younger students (grades K-1) will need support with fine motor skills and use of materials. This can be used in the art classroom, or in complement to a history or science classroom unit on space exploration. Making a series of prints demonstrating student understanding of content is a fun and meaningful way to make student's learning visible at the conclusion of a unit.

Notes to teachers on how to facilitate and manage this project are included throughout this Learning Lab.