Balloons Over Broadway Project Integrates STEM Learning
Students in third grade classes at Severn, Carder, Erwin Valley and Smith Schools participated in a collaborative project introduced by school librarians while reading Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. Students learned about inflating balloons with CPP STEM coordinator Sharla Yarnell using baking soda and vinegar. They studied the biography of Anthony Sarg, lead puppeteer and mastermind behind the balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and created balloon characters in library class.
Students created their balloons and had the opportunity to parade their characters and at Severn, even have their pictures taken in front of a cityscape created by the Art Club. Severn Elementary Librarian Mrs. Taylor said, "Learning about the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade was a fun collaboration of library, art, science and creativity!"