All through the month of November, fourth and fifth grade students have not been quietly reading in the library. In fact, it’s been the total opposite as they have been making a parade.

Based on Maine author Melissa Sweet’s book Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade, students in grades 4 & 5 have been creating, designing, building, coding, and then running their very own Thanksgiving Day parade. Using regular craft materials and party balloons, along with Lego Spike kits provided by the Maine Department of Education, students took 2D designs to moveable 3D models that could drive down a defined “parade route.”

This multi-pronged STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) activity engaged and expanded students’ creativity, critical thinking, and resilience. Failure was a given as design features didn’t work and needed to be re-imagined, balloons popped, code didn’t work, and weight distribution needed to be addressed. Though frustration was a given, students also practiced patience, perseverance, and deep thinking.

Enormous thanks to Mr Russell, Mrs Loud, and classroom teachers for supporting this project.

When students were asked what they would change for next year’s parade, answers varied from “helium!” to “bigger cars!” With that level of enthusiasm, this will hopefully become an annual event as long-lasting as the actual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

To watch the RLRS STEAM Parade, use this link: https://tinyurl.com/5exspfhn