METRO STEAM Academy

The video’s and data are in!! After the successful launch and recovery of the team weather balloon as part of the Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference, students today analyzed their atmospheric data and reviewed their camera footage.

Launch Stats
- Max Altitude: 67k ft
- Min Temp: - 40 degrees C

Check out our cool graphs and still shots from our cameras on board! We did not achieve all of our desired launch goals and are considering another launch before school gets out. Stay tuned!!




Southeast Iowa STEM Region
Cedar Rapids Community School District

Students launch weather balloon Students say they spent months working on the balloon before finally releasing it.

Gordon talking about the STEAM Academy and the Cosmic Conference.

Ask 9: Learn about the Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference Joe Winters and Becky Phelps visited the Eastern Iowa Observatory to learn about the upcoming Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference on May 15-17th. It's for all ages, and offers some free programming on Saturday. Learn more about the EICC: https://www.ncral2026.org/ Watch more Ask 9: https://www.kcrg.com/v...

What a successful day at the Cosmic Conference for the Metro Balloon Launch. Thanks to all the students who worked to make this happen.

Continuing to build partnerships across our community and across the state!

Students gain valuable knowledge and experience every time they work with an Iowa non-profit. Students consulted with event leaders to run an online store for volunteers to purchase event merchandise to support the cause and celebrate the non-profits work.

Iowa Project AWARE is a statewide volunteer river cleanup event that has occurred annually since 2003 and collected its millionth pound of trash from Iowa rivers last summer.

To learn more visit their website, https://www.iowaprojectaware.org/who-we-are/




Southeast Iowa STEM Region

LIMITED EDITION - LIMITED STOCK - IOWA PROJECT AWARE MERCH

You asked and we answered, but not without some added benefit, of course! We have partnered with Metro Steam Academy to have AWARE merchandise. Check their store with the QR code or link above to order merchandise with either the THIS YEAR ONLY design above, or the main AWARE design. To pick up your merchandise, you can either pick it up at Metro High School or pick it up at registration during AWARE 2026. ONLY AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH MIDNIGHT CENTRAL TIME TUESDAY. Copy this link to order: https://cedarrapidsia.infinitecampus.org/campus/store/cedarrapids/school-store/4/3/products

THE DESIGN ABOVE IS ONLY AVAILABLE THIS YEAR! IT WON’T BE AVAILABLE ON REGULAR SHIRTS PAST THIS PRINTING! (It will be available on solar shirts soon… stay tuned)

What’s the added benefit you ask? This gives Metro students the opportunity to run a business and collaborate with a nonprofit, real world experience they need to enter the workforce. And… if all goes well and there is interest… we will continue this partnership into the future! Make sure to order your merchandise to show your support for both AWARE and Metro students.

Who made the design? Rumor has it she may be joining us on the river this year 👀 we are wishing this mystery woman well at her senior show today as well!

GET IT NOW PADDLERS! 🚣🏻‍♂️

Metro teacher and ‘den mother’ Shannon Ellis retiring For almost 30 years, Shannon Ellis at Metro High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been a teacher, mentor, advocate and “den mother” to students and teachers. He is retiring next month.