The important role of the scientific school of Prof. I. Zapisochny in the study of
electron-atom collisions and its determination of most important parameters in this field
are emphasized. The processes of electron-impact excitation to and from the metastable
states of rare gases atoms are examined. The methods of measurement of the cross
sections for such processes are described and the influence of cascade population on the
metastable cross sections discussed also. The cross section data are presented.
Keywords: electron-atom collisions, metastable states,