Rediscovering the meaning of the world: using space shuttle images to inspire poetry

Places of height and elevation have always been significant factors in the development of religion and science. Throughout history, the accomplishments of both have been articulated in the form of poetry. While the contemporary accomplishment of space-originated imagery plays an important role in the sciences, the celebration of our technological wisdom has yet to be articulated in modern poetry. A poetry writing workshop held at a science symposium for junior and high school students used space shuttle images to inspire verse. The results demonstrate that poetry is still a vital form of expression that reconnects us to our experience and allows us to fit ourselves into the story of the universe.