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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.

  • Summer Camp at Camp Bear Creek

    Location
    9106 42nd Ave., Wyoming, IA 52362
    Audience
    Grades K-12
    Cost
    Pricing is based on program selected
    Organization
    Camp Bear Creek
    Contact
    Stacie Hoppman
    Email
    office@bearcreek.camp
    Phone
    (563) 488-3893

    Information

    Camp Bear Creek is a Christian summer camp located in Jones County, Iowa. We have summer camp programs for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade! Campers will get to experience a variety of activities like archery, kayaking, climbing tower, zip lines, hiking, crafts, Bible study, worship, swimming, and more!

  • Theatre Cedar Rapids Summer Camps are BACK!

    Organization
    Theatre Cedar Rapids
    Contact
    Mic Evans
    Email
    mic.evans@theatrecr.org
    Phone
    (319) 366-8591

    Information

    TCR Summer Camps are back! There’s something for every student, grades K through 12. Acting, adventures, games, STEAM Week and more!

    All TCR Camps and Classes are on a “Pay What You Can” system. Simply choose the payment option that works best for you at checkout.