Balloons Over Broadway Project Based Learning
Imagine the excitement of students designing their very own parade floats for a classroom Thanksgiving parade!
Project-Based Learning (PBL) brings this idea to life, allowing students to dive into a creative, hands-on project that builds both knowledge and skills. Inspired by the "Balloons Over Broadway" concept, this activity combines elements of design, engineering, budgeting, and collaboration, making it perfect for classrooms looking to integrate STEM and PBL.
Want more Balloons Over Broadway Tips and Ideas? Check out the replay of our November STEM Planning Party!
Simplifying Your Planning Process
This lesson is available on our Shopify store. However, the best way to access all of the Balloons Over Broadway lessons is through the STEM Teachers Club Membership.
The STEM Teachers Club Membership not only provides high-quality lesson plans but also offers a structured approach to implementing them. With weekly themes and suggested read-alouds, you can easily integrate STEM into your daily schedule. Through the STEM Teachers Club you are able to gain access to our full catalog of lessons with unlimited downloads and you can cancel anytime.
Why Use PBL for the Balloons Over Broadway Parade Float Design?
Project-Based Learning empowers students to engage in real-world challenges, requiring critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. Through designing a Thanksgiving parade float, students can explore topics such as the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, engineering principles, and resource management—all while having fun and expressing themselves.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Classroom Parade Float Project
1. Introduction to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
Kick off with a short video on the history of Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to spark excitement and provide context. Discuss how floats have evolved from simple structures to complex designs with moving parts and elaborate decorations.
Emphasize the engineering and creativity required for these massive floats and how they bring holiday joy to millions.
2. Research and Brainstorming
Students research past parade floats to understand themes, structural elements, and creative concepts. Encourage them to think about what messages or stories they want their float to convey.
Working in small groups, students brainstorm float ideas and select a theme, which could relate to Thanksgiving, their favorite story, or a cultural element they’d like to showcase.
3. Design Phase
Students sketch their float on paper, including labeled materials and color schemes. The design should be functional yet creative, meeting specific requirements like height and mobility.
This phase promotes planning skills and visualization, helping students transfer ideas into workable designs. Including a height limit (e.g., 12 inches) adds a challenge that reinforces engineering constraints.
You can get all of the Balloons Over Broadway resources in our Balloons Over Broadway lessons in the STEM Teachers Club. However, for the same price you can get a month of unlimited downloads in the STEM Teachers Club Membership! Use Code CarlyandAdamBlog to get $5 off your first month of membership!
4. Budgeting for Materials
Introduce budgeting to instill financial literacy. Set a hypothetical budget (e.g., $100), and have students list the materials they’ll need within this limit. Use a Float Budget Worksheet to track costs and prioritize essential items, like recycled materials to conserve resources.
This step teaches students to balance creativity with resource management, making design decisions based on both costs and aesthetics.
5. Building the Float Model
Using materials like cardboard, construction paper, and makerspace items, students bring their designs to life. They focus on stability, creativity, and making their float move by adding wheels or a pull mechanism.
This hands-on phase lets students problem-solve in real-time, learning the value of testing and improving their models.
6. Presentation and Reflection
Each group presents its float to the class, explaining their design choices, budgeting strategies, and the challenges they encountered. They reflect on their teamwork, share insights, and discuss what they would do differently in a future project.
Reflection solidifies learning, allowing students to articulate the skills and knowledge gained throughout the project.
You can get all of the Balloons Over Broadway resources in our Balloons Over Broadway lessons in the STEM Teachers Club. However, for the same price you can get a month of unlimited downloads in the STEM Teachers Club Membership! Use Code CarlyandAdamBlog to get $5 off your first month of membership!
Learning Objectives and Skills Developed
This float design project aligns with key educational standards and learning objectives:
Engineering Design: Students apply engineering principles, developing prototypes that reflect balance, stability, and functionality.
Budgeting: They gain financial literacy skills by working within budget constraints and making resource-based decisions.
Collaboration and Communication: Working in groups enhances their teamwork and presentation skills, valuable for both classroom success and real-world applications.
Tips for Success
Encourage Recycled Materials: Remind students that many materials, such as paper towel rolls and cardboard, can be repurposed to create unique designs.
Focus on Process Over Perfection: Celebrate each float as a creative expression of the students' efforts, emphasizing what they’ve learned through the process rather than the final product.
Reflect as a Class: After the presentations, hold a group discussion to share feedback and insights. This step reinforces the growth mindset and highlights learning moments.
You can get all of the Balloons Over Broadway resources in our Balloons Over Broadway lessons in the STEM Teachers Club. However, for the same price you can get a month of unlimited downloads in the STEM Teachers Club Membership! Use Code CarlyandAdamBlog to get $5 off your first month of membership!
By following these plans, you’ll be able to provide a rich, engaging STEM experience for your students throughout November, while keeping the activities aligned with seasonal themes and learning goals.
Ready to make STEM planning easier than ever? Join the STEM Teachers Club today and take the first step towards a successful and inspiring school year. Visit the STEM Teachers Club website for more information and to sign up.
Spend Less Time Planning and More Time Teaching!
Hands-on STEM learning starts here.
Find ready-to-use STEM Activities and Science Curriculum, Practical Professional Development, and a Community of Educators to help you teach STEM with confidence.
You can get all 1000+ STEM Challenges by Carly and Adam as part of the STEM Teachers Club. Save 30% on your first month/year using coupon Code: CarlyAndAdamBlog.