The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade annually showcases large, majestic balloons that bob along the parade route. But how do these giant balloons stay up? Belle Aire sixth graders set out to find an answer!
“We began by watching a short video on Science Friday about the Macy's parade and the science behind keeping these enormous balloons afloat,” said Tricia Miller, Belle Aire fifth/sixth grade teacher. “The students read a short text about Tony Sarg, who was a puppeteer and worked for Macy's.”
The students used this new knowledge to design and engineer their own Thanksgiving balloon floats.
“They got with a partner and made a sketch and plan for their float, and then they built it!” said Bethany Erickson, Belle Aire sixth grade teacher. “There were specific requirements they had to meet and materials that could use. For example, one part of each float had to move, with a string or some kind of pulley. The ‘float’ had to be designed after some kind of character or animal."
The final designs included Mickey Mouse, a red panda, a bull, a turkey, a dog, Santa sitting on a present and more! Great work, sixth grade scientists!
Photos courtesy of Mrs. Miller and Ms. Erickson.