The METRO STEAM Academy is in partnership Iowa BIG Program, Building Pros of Eastern Iowa, The University of Iowa’s Jacobsen Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship, Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation, Metro North Rotary, Johnston STEAM Academy, the Roosevelt Middle School Option, and numerous other community partnerships both locally and across the state of Iowa. This program is focused on the innovative redesign of classroom spaces that counter the traditional classrooms in favor of lab space for student innovation. These spaces will include a science & engineering lab, a wood shop, an incubator space, an exhibition/presentation space, and a commercial kitchen space. These classrooms will be redesigned with a focus on technology-rich, collaborative, and flexible spaces. We will acquire technology that will equip each space and student with the ability to work and share in a true collaborative manner. This transformation vision is centered on three key areas: (1) 21st century technology, (2) boundary-free collaboration, and (3) “outside the box” flexibility. There are several benefits for students who are enrolled in the STEAM Academy. Students will be able to engage with rigorous content through relevant project based experiences. Students will also earn high school graduation credit by demonstrating mastery through interested projects. Students will have access to a dedicated group of STEAM staff collaborators that will ensure connections between real business projects and Iowa Core standards. There is an intense focus on college and career readiness. The increased community and business interactions through industry partners, will allow students to build relationships for potential career opportunities.
