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Prairie Backpack

College Community School District’s “green” approach to distributing information from school sponsored activities and non-profit organizations.

High School

Events

  • Metro STEAM Academy Weather Balloon Launch

    Location
    Cedar Rapids Downtown Public Library LivingLearning Roof
    Audience
    All ages, K-12, STEM learners and educators
    Cost
    Free
    Organization
    Cedar Amateur Astronomers
    Contact
    Gordon Baustian
    Email
    gordonbaustian@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 721-0659

    Information

    In collaboration with the Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference, the Metro STEAM Academy is launching a Weather Balloon from the LivingLearning Roof of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Public Library on May 16, 2026.

    Launch pep starts at 9:30 AM with the launch at 10:00AM. Come watch and learn how and why this is done to study our atmosphere and how this relates to Astronomy. The students will be tracking the balloon’s flight using onboard tracking telemetry and you can follow the flight as it approached 100,00 ft over Eastern Iowa. Learn about the experiment the students are doing using onboad beetles that will be launched with the balloon.

  • Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference

    Location
    The DoubleTree Hotel and Convention Complex, Downtown Cedar Rapids
    Audience
    All ages and learners and educators
    Cost
    The morning lectures are free. The afternoon session is $40 for a family of up to 4.
    Organization
    Cedar Amateur Astronomers
    Contact
    Gordon Baustian
    Email
    gordonbaustian@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 721-0659

    Information

    Two free open to the public presentations: 10:45 AM, Dr. Ryan French about Space Hazards and 11:45 AM Dr. Dominic Benford about Exoplanets. A Weather Balloon launch at 10:00 AM at from the LivingLearning Roof of the Cedar Rapids Public Downtown Library. Plus many other activities from 1-4 PM including a portable planetarium, 5 NASA Solar Ambassadors, Hands on Activities from the Van Allen Observatory Team at the Univeristy of Iowa and more.

  • Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Night

    Location
    Palisades-Dows Preserve at 1365 Ivanhoe Road.
    Audience
    All ages and learners
    Cost
    Free
    Organization
    Cedar Amatuer Astronomers
    Contact
    Gordon Baustian
    Email
    gordonbaustian@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 721-0659

    Information

    Dr. Dustin Swarm will discuss Dying White Dwarf Stars: When stars die, that isn’t the end of the story. Stellar corpses can reanimate in the presence of a companion star. I research a type of reanimated stellar corpse: accreting white dwarfs. White dwarfs are the most common type of stellar remnant. When white dwarfs pull material (accrete) from a nearby star, they produce light from optical to X-rays. I will discuss my research of X-ray emission from a variety of accreting white dwarf systems to understand these undead stars.

  • Write Now: Microstory Writing Contest

    Location
    Virtual
    Cost
    Free
    Organization
    University of Iowa Center for Advancement
    Contact
    Tegan Donahue
    Email
    write.now@foriowa.org
    Phone
    (319) 467-3393

  • Camp Tanager — Diabetes Day and Overnight Camp Program

    Location
    Camp Tanager, 1614 West Mount Vernon Road, Mount Vernon, IA 52314
    Audience
    Campers with Type 1 Diabetes
    Cost
    Sliding Scale Fee
    RSVP
    Jun 12, 2026
    Organization
    Camp Tanager
    Contact
    Donald Pirrie
    Email
    campmail@tanagerplace.org
    Phone
    (319) 286-4510

    Information

    Calling all young T1D Adventurers! Join us for an unforgettable week at our summer camp filled with exciting outdoor activities, arts and crafts, sports and endless fun. Don’t miss this opportunity to create lasting memories, friends and learn about your Type 1 Diabetes in a supportive and medically supervised T1D Summer camp program. Day and Overnight Programs are available! Sliding Scale Fee allows all campers to attend regardless of income.

  • CHADD of Iowa Conference

    Location
    DMACC Des Moines Community College, Ankeny, Iowa 50023
    Audience
    Adults with ADHD, parents/guardians, educators, professionals
    Cost
    Registration: $50 CHADD members $75 non-CHADD members · Family price, add an additional family member for only $50 Professionals/practitioners: $150 (Contact Hours optional with secondary registration through Heartland AEA) Exhibit Hall booth rental: $100 (includes one registration)
    RSVP
    Apr 18, 2026
    Organization
    CHADD of Iowa (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) chapter. Our chapter is committed to supporting individuals and families affected by ADHD through education, connection, and evidence-based resources.
    Contact
    Kathy Harriott
    Email
    kjharriott5@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 551-8352

    Information

    CHADD of Iowa is happy to present a dynamic and empowering in-person event being held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, 9am to 4pm, at the DMACC Enrichment Center, 1155 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, IA 50023.
    Join us as we welcome our professionals and their valuable content:
    • Jeremy Didier: Making ADHD a positive in your life
    • Dr. Max Wiznitzer: New adult ADHD guidelines
    • Dr. Nate Noble: After the diagnosis – progress monitoring of the diagnosis
    • Heidi Stoffel: ADHD characteristics in co-morbid conditions
    • Robin Nordmeyer & Alicia Kohls: Executive functioning in the workplace and Executive Functioning-Transition from High School to Post-Secondary with Robin
    • Nick Swanson: Behavior management in the home

  • 2026 Czech Heritage Foundation Royal Court – Apply Now

    Location
    www.CzechHeritageFoundation.com/RoyalCourt
    RSVP
    May 01, 2026
    Organization
    Czech Heritage Foundation
    Contact
    Holly Robe
    Email
    hrobe@amfam.com
    Phone
    (319) 573-8382

    Information

    Applicants must reside in Iowa and be able to attend events in Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas. Apply online at www.CzechHeritageFoundation.com/RoyalCourt or email hrobe@amfam.com for details.

  • Earth Day Celebration

    Location
    Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation, 4521 Boy Scouts Road, Central City, IA 52214
    Audience
    open to all
    Cost
    free
    Organization
    Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation
    Contact
    Maureen Marron
    Email
    maureen.marron.ia@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 512-9948

    Information

    Youth and families have the opportunity to learn from area experts in geology, astronomy, sustainability, conservation science, watersheds, amphibians, mushrooms and fungi, birding, and more. Many stations have hands-on activities that demonstrate or reinforce the scientific ideas presented at the stations. The event is open to the public and families are encouraged to spend the afternoon with the exhibitors and taking guided hikes.

  • 5K4K9

    Location
    3111 N 10th St Marion IA
    Audience
    All ages!
    Cost
    $25 for those over 18 and $15 for those participating in the kids' fun run.
    RSVP
    Apr 17, 2026
    Organization
    Marion Police Department
    Contact
    Willow Botsford
    Email
    9073@marionpolice.com
    Phone
    (319) 377-1511

    Information

    5K4K9 fun run/walk hosted by the Marion Police Department. The family-friendly community event will be held at Linn-Mar High School and include bounce houses, a kids’ fun run, and the 5K event. Be sure to stick around to see the MPD K9s and their handlers in action. Event activities start at 9 a.m.
    The cost is $25 for those over 18 and $15 for those participating in the kids’ fun run. Register via the city website at cityofmarion.org/5k4k9
    Proceeds from this event will help support the Police Department’s K9 program and the creation of a new Crisis K9 team. The Crisis K9 is specially trained to provide emotional support and comfort to individuals, families and first responders during times of crisis. From traumatic incidents to community emergencies, this resource plays an important role in supporting both residents and staff.

  • Project Creating Responsive Action Through Empowering Resources and Strategies (CRATERS)

    Location
    University of Iowa's College of Public Health 145 North Riverside Drive Iowa City, IA
    Audience
    middle school and high school students
    RSVP
    Mar 27, 2026
    Organization
    The University of Iowa-College of Public Health
    Contact
    Ebonee Johnson, Ph.D.
    Email
    ebonee-johnson@uiowa.edu
    Phone
    (319) 335-5188

    Information

    Mental Health Training Developed For Teens By Teens