MONROE — Based on the book, “Balloons Over Broadway” by Melissa Sweet, all students from Abraham Elementary School collaborated for two weeks to create a small-scale replica of the historic Monroe Square. 

Students applied art techniques and STEAM concepts for all of the different facets involved in the creation: from artistically detailed buildings to robotic balloons and 3D printing, students made their community “come alive,” said Heather Newton, librarian/STEAM coordinator for the School District of Monroe. 

“I collaborated with Renee Gavigan, our art teacher at Abe Lincoln, and together we had all of the students take ownership in this huge project,” Newton said. 

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade had a role painting buildings, creating balloons and using technology to record information about local businesses. They designed 3D prints with local business names and even shrunk student photographs to be placed on the square to “watch the parade”, Newton said. “This was a blast!”