This 3-hour STEAM program develops 3rd graders’ SPRIT skills through 2 stages of a combination of art with science and maker pedagogy through the theme of a hot air balloon (an interesting physical object) found in a piece of artwork by a well-known artist. In the first stage, children look at paintings by famous artists. Their flexibility is developed by listening to their classmates’ different ideas about what the artist was thinking. In the second stage, students build a hot air balloon/or any interesting items using simple materials such as egg cartons and foam, while the problem-solving, valuing others, creativity, and emotional regulation skills are developed. The object is chosen by the children from one of the paintings. By preparing, testing, and improving, they learn to stay calm and find new ways to achieve their goals. Group discussions also help students develop empathy by listening to and valuing the opinions of others. Finally, the project also builds resilience by showing learners that trying again after making a mistake is an important part of learning. The STEAM project can be continued with other self-made creations, but in this case, the children must see the object they are going to create in one of the paintings.

Brief description of the STEAM program

As part of the activity, students become familiar with the artworks of Pál Szinyei Merse, preferably through an on-site visit to the Hungarian National Gallery. If the museum visit cannot take place, the artist’s life and work are presented in the classroom environment through a discussion accompanied by visual projections, including the analysis of selected paintings, with special attention to the one depicting a hot air balloon. In the next part of the program, students engage in a creative activity: they construct hot air balloons using polystyrene and egg cartons, reflecting on the motif seen in the painting. Throughout the creative process, students develop their fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and spatial thinking. The activities also aim to foster students’ resilience and flexibility, with a special focus on enhancing adaptability, perseverance, and a positive attitude toward new challenges.

Age group/ Grade	Student numbers	Duration	Number of stages	Subject(s)
3rd-grade students	Whole class (max. 30 students)	minimum 180 minutes	2 stages	environmental studies, digital culture, design and technology, visual arts, environmental studies, language and literacy