CULLMAN, Ala. – The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade got a first-grade twist recently, as students at Cullman City Primary School created their own mini-balloon floats as part of an innovative Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) project.
Thanks to support from the Cullman City Schools Foundation, Cullman City Primary School first graders were able to use STEM kits connected to the nonfiction book “Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade,” which tells the true story of how the first parade floats were developed.
First-grade teacher Amanda Henry Stidham said students started out by creating a simple sketch, drawing or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed. Students were tasked with creating their own parade balloon, taking into account it needed to be able to stand upright so it could function and be seen as if it were in a “real” parade.
“Students created their own balloon to hoist in the air at CCPS, which connects back to the story of why (original Macy’s Day Parade balloon designer) Tony Sarge used helium. He wanted all paradegoers to enjoy the show,” Stidham explained. “Students were engaged in every aspect of STEM in this project. Science: the exposure to matter of gasses; Technology: working online to gather information and ideas of what to create for their balloon character; Engineering: how to create a stable base to hold up the balloon; and Mathematics: measuring, calculating, counting, adding and subtracting materials as needed.”
Stidham said students were incredibly proud to show off their balloons, showing them off to their siblings and former teachers at school.
“Students wanted to take their balloon home and watch the parade on Thanksgiving Day at their own house holding their balloon,” Stidham said. “It made a big impact on students, and they were able to discuss in detail why the parade was important. My favorite question this week was if they could create another float!”
Stidham said students blew her away with their innovative designs. She noted some of the most creative included: student Davis Dean created a basketball float and acted as part of the float as a basketball player dunking the ball; student Genesis William created a Pokémon character float; two friends, AJ Lynn and Marina Perez, teamed up to create a float of Disney characters from Lilo and Stitch; and student Landon Corley created a Sonic the Hedgehog float and made it continually rotate as it was moving.
