StM News

Just before Thanksgiving Day, creativity was already soaring at St. Martin’s Episcopal School as Third Grade students brought parade-inspired balloons to life in Ms. Natalie Ott’s STeaM class.

Inspired by the iconic balloons of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, students took on the challenge of designing and building their own large-scale creations from the ground up. The project began with 2-D sketches and careful planning before students engineered their ideas into 3-D forms, learning firsthand how creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance work together in the design process.

Along the way, students explored the work of Tony Sarg, the creator of the original parade balloons, and discovered the thoughtful engineering behind these larger-than-life creations. Designing balloons of this scale and detail required collaboration, patience, and imagination, skills that were on full display throughout the project.

The finished designs filled the classroom with excitement and personality, including a festive appearance by Tom Turkey. The project served as a joyful reminder that learning at St. Martin’s is hands-on, engaging, and connected to real-world inspiration, especially during moments that celebrate creativity and tradition.