Resources for educators

School Presentations

Bring the Sanford Underground Research Facility into your school or classroom. We have active presentation options for students in grades K-12.

Are you looking for an engaging way to leverage student’s natural curiosity and explore as yet unanswered questions in science? We’ve got plenty of inspiration for introducing the cutting-edge science and engineering that is happening at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF).

Spring 2023

We have both face-to-face and virtual options!

Let our experienced team of educators work with you to choose the perfect presentation.

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E and O Team
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Assembly Programs

Early Elementary, Upper Elementary

A Day in the Life

Every day, people at Sanford Lab take a cage ride nearly a mile underground. During this presentation students get a chance to envision themselves working in an underground research laboratory.
Early Elementary, Upper Elementary

A Most Magnificent Machine

Students are asked to consider the importance of perseverance, identify what to do when things get hard, and discuss how to learn from mistakes as the story of the search for dark matter is shared.
Middle School

Dark Matter–It's A Matter of Gravity!

Does dark matter exist, or is gravity wrong? Students utilize their understanding of the effects of gravity to consider the scientific phenomena used to support the dark matter theory.
Middle School

Discover Exciting Career Opportunities

Discover the wide range of skills required to make a research facility successful- and think about your own talents as you learn about the work happening at Sanford Lab.
Middle School

Hot Rocks-Renewable Energy from the Earth

Students explore heat transfer and capacity as they learn how research at Sanford Lab could help inform safe, effective geothermal energy systems of the future.
High School

Is There Life In A Borehole?

Scientists are searching for life in extreme environments, including deep inside rock one mile underground at Sanford Lab. Are the ingredients for life present? What can we learn from these studies?
High School

Neutrinos–Just Passing Through

Neutrinos are the most abundant particle in the universe, yet very hard to detect. Every second, trillions travel through you. What are they and what can they tell us about our universe?
Upper Elementary

Particle Accelerators–Smashing Science

Did you know that a scientist from Canton, South Dakota created the first circular particle accelerator? Learn how particle accelerators work and why they are indispensable when studying neutrinos.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School

Safety in the Underground

Safety is a top priority at the Sanford lab. In this presentation, students learn about the key components of safety and what is required to ensure science can happen nearly a mile underground.
Middle School, High School

Water- Where Does it Go?

The Waste Water Treatment Plant was the first of its kind when operations began. Learn why environmental stewardship is important to Sanford Lab and how we affect our local watersheds.