Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center

09/27/2024

The recent episode of SDPB’s South Dakota Focus looks at science tourism in the state and features the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center and our H2O workshop located inside the Kirby Science Discovery Center at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls!

Watch the full episode at https://watch.sdpb.org/video/science-education-and-tourism-hmgs8o/
Or read more on the matter from South Dakota News Watch, Inc. has more here: https://ow.ly/lLp350TuEIX

We’re proud that our mission at SURF, to advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations, aligns with so many other wonderful organizations around the state!

09/26/2024

Sanford Underground Research Facility is offering a trolley shuttle bus for sale through a sealed-bid process. Bids are due October 18. For detailed specifications, more photos, and submission instructions, please visit https://sanfordlab.org/current-solicitations/request-bid-surplus-sale-trolley-shuttle-bus

09/25/2024

The Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center recently made NewsCenter1’s list of 20 Museums to Check Out in the Black Hills! 🎉

Whether you're interested in the rich mining history, underground science, or breathtaking views of the open cut, there's something for everyone here. Dive deep into our interactive exhibits and discover the fascinating world beneath Lead, SD. ⚒️✨

Plan your visit today and explore what makes us one of the must-see museums in the Black Hills!
👉 Check out the full list here: https://ow.ly/o5ZK50Ttohc

09/24/2024

Dr. Scott Beeler, a research scientist in the Engineering and Mining Experiment Station at South Dakota Mines, presented the September edition of Deeper Talks at SURF. The presentation highlights the unique opportunities SURF provides for groundwater studies. Watch the full presentation here: https://vimeo.com/1000850996?share=copy

09/21/2024

We are ONE week away from Worldwide Day of Play at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center! Who's ready to get moving and get creative with us? 🎨 🚀

From 10 AM to 4 PM, we’ll be hosting a day filled with fun, interactive activities that encourage families to step away from screens and engage in hands-on play. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the activities:

🏗 Yates Hoist Challenge
🧩 Keva Plank Station
🎨 Cork Block Free Play Station
✏️ Science Drawing & Coloring Challenges
🛠 "Build Your Own Detector" Craft Corner

Bring the whole family and join us for a day of exploration, creativity, and outdoor fun. 🌟

09/20/2024

The education and outreach team at SURF reaches between 16,000 to 20,000 South Dakota students each year, helping them grasp concepts like particle physics through hands-on learning. These efforts aim to inspire the next generation of scientists, technicians, and engineers by making science approachable and fostering curiosity. 💡🌟✨

LEAD — It’s hard to imagine second graders grasping the principles of particle physics, but Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) Science Specialist Julie Dahl said it’s not only possible, she’s

09/20/2024

Can you spot the new seed? 🌱

The next generation is sprouting at Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ, our ethnobotanical garden that began with its first planting in June. These tiny seeds symbolize new beginnings and our ongoing commitment to growth, discovery, and community at SURF. The SURF Foundation is dedicated to fostering these efforts and supporting initiatives that leave a lasting impact on science, education, and culture.

If you're interested in being a part of this important initiative, visit www.sanfordlab.org/foundation

09/17/2024

Phase one of SURF's underground expansion is complete, featuring a new access tunnel that will lead to two large caverns for future cutting-edge research.

“This important milestone puts SURF one step closer to the expansion of high-value research space that will attract world-leading underground science for decades to come,” said Mike Headley, executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) and the laboratory director at SURF. “Thanks to the state of South Dakota for funding this expansion phase and thanks to the dedication of everyone involved in this project, including our contractor, Thyssen Mining, for their incredible efforts.”

Read the full article at https://ow.ly/agFb50Tob5i

09/16/2024

SURF's photo of the week was captured by Stephen Kenny.

He shared this image of a doe near the top of Kirk Canyon at SURF.

We welcome anyone to submit a photo for photo of the week to [email protected].

If you want to see more photos of the week from SURF subscribe to our Deep Thoughts newsletter here: https://sanfordlab.org/news/subscribe

09/14/2024

During the NSTA conference in Denver this past March, our Education & Outreach team held a special drawing for a classroom teacher to win a Zoom session with a SURF scientist. Today, we were excited to connect with our lucky winner, Ms. Adrienne Hazza, and her classroom from Indian Ridge Middle School in Davie, FL!

Yesterday, SURF Research Scientist Doug Tiedt and PhD student Nick Fieldhouse joined the class via Zoom from deep underground at the Davis Campus, offering an engaging virtual tour. It was a fantastic opportunity to inspire young minds with the wonders of science and the groundbreaking work happening at SURF!

09/13/2024

Amy Sazue, Executive Director of Remembering The Children Society in Rapid City, delivered a powerful presentation yesterday on the history of the Rapid City Indian Boarding School and the ongoing efforts to honor the memory of the children who lost their lives there. You can watch the full recording at https://ow.ly/VkmO50Tn4hi

Yesterday's event concluded the inaugural season of Deep Roots, which will return next June. We were grateful to host this new series at our ethnobotanical garden, Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ—a contemplative space designed to encourage connection and collaboration.

09/11/2024

SURF was recently featured on the BBC podcast, The Naked Scientists, titled “You can teach an old mine new tricks.”

Starting at about 23 minutes in, SURF Science Director, Jaret Heise, explains the immense value SURF holds across multiple disciplines of research.

Check it out here!

https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/naked-scientists-podcast/you-can-teach-old-mine-new-tricks

09/11/2024

Exciting day ahead at the Visitor Center tomorrow!

Starting at 10 a.m., join us for the next edition of Deep Roots at Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ. We are honored to host Amy Sazue, Executive Director of Remembering the Children in Rapid City. Amy will share the impactful history of the Rapid City Indian Boarding School and discuss ongoing efforts to memorialize the children who lost their lives while attending the school. Transportation to the garden will depart from the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center at 9:30 a.m., with return trips starting at 11 a.m.

From 1 to 3 p.m., join us at the Visitor Center for our "Ask A Scientist" event with SURF Research Scientist Markus Horn. As a key contributor to the LZ experiment, Markus will be on hand to answer your questions and share his experiences in supporting researchers with the resources, safety measures, and logistics needed for successful scientific operations.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

09/04/2024

Gina Gibson, a professor at Black Hills State University who serves as SURF’s Artist in Residence (AiR) coordinator, and who was the first ever AiR at SURF, is presenting her artwork in Switzerland alongside dark matter physicist Björn Penning.

Read more about the exhibit that celebrates both art and science underground at SURF here: https://sanfordlab.org/news/making-invisible-visible

09/03/2024

Part of SURF's mission is to inspire learning across generations and this includes helping to build the workforce of tomorrow.

We're proud of the success of those like Piper Kinder. She graduated from the Boxelder Job Corps this summer and accepted a local job in fiber optic network cabling following her internship at SURF.

Kudos Piper!

Read more: https://sanfordlab.org/news/surf-intern-finds-career-path-during-summer-underground

09/02/2024

Happy Labor Day! We are OPEN so stop by and explore the stories of the miners whose hard work and dedication laid the foundation for the science and research happening today.

We hope you and your family take today to explore, learn, and play at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitors Center! Enjoy a safe and happy Labor Day!

08/29/2024

We were pleased to welcome Marty Two Bulls Jr. — the 2024 SURF Artist in Residence as the speaker for the August edition of our Deep Roots series. When asked how he sees the intersection between science and art, Two Bulls answered "When I'm working on a project, I'm often times engaged in creative problem-solving. I have an idea, and I see it, but it doesn't exist yet. I have to figure out how to take that idea out of my head and make a physical product. A lot of times, the stuff that I'm doing hasn't been done yet."

If you missed the event, you can view the recording here: https://ow.ly/pknz50T9UX0

Mark your calendars for the next installment of Deep Roots with Amy Sazue, the executive director of the Remembering the Children Memorial in Rapid City. Sazue will share an overview of the project’s mission starting at 10 a.m. on September 12 at Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ with a shuttle beginning at 9:30 from the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center.

08/28/2024

Check out this stunning shot of a double rainbow arching over the Yates Headframe at SURF, captured by infrastructure technician Dan James just after a summer afternoon thunderstorm. Thanks, Dan, for catching this rare and beautiful moment! 🌈

08/27/2024

If you’ve ever taken our hoist room tour, you've probably noticed just how much effort goes into keeping everything running smoothly. Occasionally we must change the bushings in the hoist drums - which is no small feat. The bushings are made up of four pieces which require careful planning to install. After installing the first piece, the crew has to remove the work platform and tools, unlock the hoist, and have the operator rotate the drum. Once the correct position is reached, they lock out the hoist, reinstall the platform, and add the next piece. This process is then repeated until all four pieces are in place.

The operations crew at SURF recently completed this complex job inside the Ross Hoist Room over two weekends to ensure normal operations could continue during the week. This task was a labor of love, with team members coming in outside their normal work hours to get the job done!

Full story: https://ow.ly/GZqq50T7v9y

08/23/2024

Happy Find Your Inner Nerd Day! 🌟 We’re all about hands-on, interactive learning and believe there’s a little nerd in all of us! 🤓 Whether it’s exploring the mysteries of particle physics or the wonders of our natural world, let’s celebrate the excitement of discovery, find what sparks your passion, and dive in! What will you explore today?