StM News

Third graders in Mary Lee Saucier ’91's STeaM Class have taken on a lofty challenge — designing and building balloons inspired by the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The New York City parade's giant helium balloons generally measure several stories in size, and depict characters from pop culture, such as cartoons, films, comic strips, and advertising icons. 

The first balloons were introduced by Tony Sarg for the 1928 parade, serving as a replacement for live animals which had previously appeared in the parade but frightened child attendees. Sarg, being a puppeteer, imagined the balloons as "upside-down marionettes," with participants maneuvering each balloon with a series of handling lines as it made its way down Broadway.

The student designs, while drastically smaller, are turning out to be just as creative and perhaps even more inspiring! Students began the process by reading the book "Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade" by Melissa Sweet. Mrs. Saucier broke the class into small groups to discuss and decide on the characters they chose to bring to life for a parade for St. Martin's George Cottage and Lower School students. 

"I wanted to make a character that kids would like to see," said Winston Aucoin ’33. 

After working together to choose the characters, each group of third graders began the first steps of the design thinking process. They created a materials supply list based on a 2D design of their character. Once their plans were in place, and the supplies had been ordered, they began to build — and troubleshoot.

"Students quickly begin to realize the difference between 2D and 3D," said Mrs. Saucier. "Suddenly when that first balloon is inflated, they often see they need to adjust their plans. It's a great learning experience and a way for our students to use their critical thinking and engineering skills to bring their vision to life."

Once the designs were complete, students will host their own parade in the Lower School quad to the cheers and delight of their fellow Saints.

"Unfortunately, in the past we've had some balloons that popped right as we walked out the door to put on the parade," said Mrs. Saucier. "It's a way for our kids to learn that sometimes things do happen. How do we rebound from those things? How do we persevere?"

Most importantly, Mrs. Saucier says, engaging students in hands-on projects that spark their interest and passions helps instill a love of thinking and learning that they will carry with them throughout their lives. 

"Projects like these help our students hone the skills they need to observe, investigate, and collaborate with others to solve meaningful real-world problems," said Mrs. Saucier. "I can't wait to see the ways our Saints help change our world."