Latex-Free Balloons Over Broadway STEM Challenge

Elementary teachers, don’t miss out on bringing the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to your students due to latex allergies and restrictions!

Your students can still enjoy the experience of creating their own parade balloons using latex-free materials such as paper plates and cardstock, all while learning important STEM concepts.

Before diving into the project, it's crucial to gather all the necessary supplies. The materials for creating your classroom parade balloons are simple and budget-friendly, making this an accessible activity for any teacher. You'll need:

Material List:

• Paper Plates or Cardstock

• Scissors

• Glue or Tape

• Straws and/or Popsicle Sticks

• Coding Robots of Your Choice (Optional)

• Crayons or Markers

• Balloon and Animal Templates

• Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

Before students create their latex-free parade balloons, first provide them with some background knowledge by introducing them to the enchanting world of puppeteer and inventor Tony Sarg.

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet is a delightful picture book that tells the true story of Sarg, who brought the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to life with his innovative balloon designs. Reading the book not only provides context for the project but also teaches kids about the power of creativity and innovation.

Now comes the fun part: designing and building the parade balloons. Encourage your students to brainstorm ideas, sketch their designs, and plan their materials. Students can use the animal templates or create their own designs using paper plates or the balloon template printed on cardstock.

Once all the balloons are ready, it's time for the grand classroom parade. This is a great opportunity for your students to showcase their designs and celebrate their hard work. Encourage them to discuss their experiences, what they learned, and any challenges they faced during the process.

You can even extend the learning experience by having students create a parade route and have them code their balloon through the route using any robots you have access to.

Find more coding resources to extend your Balloons Over Broadway Challenge HERE!

Have more questions or need additional resources?

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