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more info...		10/22/20251:00pm to 5:00pmBrenden Jannusch

A special "spooky" season community science experience! Join us for a walk that starts just before sunset and concludes mid nautical twilight. (Don't worry, you can bring a headlamp or flashlight). We will see what's out and about in the evening as the day fades and night comes on.

Meet at the Farm Island trail head across the causeway. A park entrance pass is required for this event.

All ages are welcome but we regret we cannot provide supervision for those under the age of 16.
more info...		10/25/20256:30pm to 7:30pm

INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION!
Did you know rocks can GLOW? Meet the Discovery Pod's Rock Star volunteer Robin to get close up with rocks, fossils, and more! Enjoy free take home goodies.


more info...		11/5/20252:00pm to 4:00pmAllison Graviett-Pfaff

Don a spacesuit and take a volunteer guided moon walk through our newest exhibition, Lunar Life: Destination Mars!

Super Star volunteers are waiting on standby, ready for launch, every first and third Friday of the month from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Join them to discover all that Lunar Life has to offer, ranging from activities you may have missed on the first visit to deeper explanations into the science behind them!

We cannot always guarantee a volunteer can be there. Call in advance to double check or to learn more about donating your time to guide community youth through a lunar space station!
more info...		11/7/20253:00pm to 5:00pmAllison Graviett-Pfaff


 
more info...		11/8/202511:00am to 1:00pmKris Heinen

Up your nature game! Join us on Community Science Saturday to learn about iNaturalist and Journey North, two popular community science platforms where you can report data about what you see in nature. We will cover the basics and review how your observations matter to science. Bring a laptop for an immersive experience.
more info...		11/15/202510:00am to 11:30amAnne Lewis

Best For Last: November 20, 2025
Grow Here, Play Here

Get your ticket to our biggest celebration of hands-on science education!

Every dollar raised supports staff and activities in the SDDC Exhibit Hall, a science playground for ALL to enjoy! Join the generations of children, and adults, who have grown up with greater access to hands-on learning and fun!

The Best for Last reverse raffle takes place on November 20, 2025. You get to enjoy delicious local vittles and chances to win fabulous prizes, including a 1 in 252 chance at $10,000. Fabulous odds!

GET YOUR TICKET!


more info...		11/20/20255:30pm to 8:00pm

Don a spacesuit and take a volunteer guided moon walk through our newest exhibition, Lunar Life: Destination Mars!

Super Star volunteers are waiting on standby, ready for launch, every first and third Friday of the month from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Join them to discover all that Lunar Life has to offer, ranging from activities you may have missed on the first visit to deeper explanations into the science behind them!

We cannot always guarantee a volunteer can be there. Call in advance to double check or to learn more about donating your time to guide community youth through a lunar space station!
more info...		11/21/20253:00pm to 5:00pmAllison Graviett-Pfaff

 Gathering of Stars

 Join the Discovery Center at Farm Island Recreation area for a star party.

 Sky watchers of all levels are welcome. Bring your own telescope or use one brought by the Discovery Center.
 Explore different ways to enjoy the night sky, from how to find a viewing target, to astrophotography with your
 phone. Meet with other local sky watchers and explore the sky.

 Astronomy is for everyone.  Let's go explore the sky!

 

September 20th 8:30-9:30
October 18th 7:30-8:30
November 22nd 6:00-7:00
December 20th 6:00-7:00

All vehicles must have a valid park entrance license

All events are weather depending. Check SD-Discovery.org for latest updates.


more info...		11/22/20256:00pm to 7:00pmKristine Heinen

INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION!
Did you know rocks can GLOW? Meet the Discovery Pod's Rock Star volunteer Robin to get close up with rocks, fossils, and more! Enjoy free take home goodies.


more info...		12/3/20252:00pm to 4:00pmAllison Graviett-Pfaff

Don a spacesuit and take a volunteer guided moon walk through our newest exhibition, Lunar Life: Destination Mars!

Super Star volunteers are waiting on standby, ready for launch, every first and third Friday of the month from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Join them to discover all that Lunar Life has to offer, ranging from activities you may have missed on the first visit to deeper explanations into the science behind them!

We cannot always guarantee a volunteer can be there. Call in advance to double check or to learn more about donating your time to guide community youth through a lunar space station!
more info...		12/5/20253:00pm to 5:00pmAllison Graviett-Pfaff


 
more info...		12/13/202511:00am to 1:00pmKris Heinen

Don a spacesuit and take a volunteer guided moon walk through our newest exhibition, Lunar Life: Destination Mars!

Super Star volunteers are waiting on standby, ready for launch, every first and third Friday of the month from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Join them to discover all that Lunar Life has to offer, ranging from activities you may have missed on the first visit to deeper explanations into the science behind them!

We cannot always guarantee a volunteer can be there. Call in advance to double check or to learn more about donating your time to guide community youth through a lunar space station!
more info...		12/19/20253:00pm to 5:00pmAllison Graviett-Pfaff

 Gathering of Stars

 Join the Discovery Center at Farm Island Recreation area for a star party.

 Sky watchers of all levels are welcome. Bring your own telescope or use one brought by the Discovery Center.
 Explore different ways to enjoy the night sky, from how to find a viewing target, to astrophotography with your
 phone. Meet with other local sky watchers and explore the sky.

 Astronomy is for everyone.  Let's go explore the sky!

 

September 20th 8:30-9:30
October 18th 7:30-8:30
November 22nd 6:00-7:00
December 20th 6:00-7:00

All vehicles must have a valid park entrance license

All events are weather depending. Check SD-Discovery.org for latest updates.


more info...		12/20/20256:00pm to 7:00pmKristine Heinen

Educators! Join us for a hybrid GLOBE training. GLOBE is an international science and education project sponsored by NASA that engages your learners in collecting, analyzing and reporting data about Earth's systems: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and pedosphere (soil).

You will earn your GLOBE certification in this hands-on, place-based hybrid PD. We will meet one day via Zoom during the week of March 2 for orientation and onboarding. You will complete the GLOBE e-training on your own. And on Saturday Marych 7 we will convene for a day of GLOBE activities.

Participants will receive classroom supplies for one protocol (TBD). A stipend will be provided upon submission of  a reflection. Sign up today! Better yet, recruit a teaching partner and sign up together! Free!
more info...		3/7/20269:30am to 4:00pmAnne Lewis
Bioinspired Fluid Dynamics Research Experience for Teachers and Students
Dates to be arranged with Dr Basu.



The Biomedical and Bioinspired Fluid Dynamics Lab (Basu Lab), directed by Dr. Saikat Basu at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University, is inviting high school teachers and students to participate in their NSF CAREER-funded project. The topic is on respiratory fluid mechanics and how art could be incorporated in biophysics modeling studies. Participants will spend 3 days on SDSU's campus. Teachers will create a learning module based on the experience.



Recruitment asks:

- We are looking for Science teachers (with interest in integrating art with cutting-edge biophysics research) at the high schools in the region, with preference for institutions in the Tribal reservations.​

- Time commitment: 3-4 days in Summer (specific schedule is flexible, we will pick the mutually best possible week during June/July/Early August)​

- Please contact Dr. Saikat Basu by March 31, 2025, at: Saikat.Basu@sdstate.edu ​



What we expect to achieve:​

- The teacher will bring around approximately 3 students to Brookings and work on projects described.​

- The learning module developed from the camp activities could be shared with the students at the home institution.​

- We will also develop a poster outlining the experience of the workshop days​

- The students can present the poster at regional/local science fairs​



Benefits: ​

- $1000 stipend for each teacher

- Reimbursement for other expenses and covered accommodation and meals​

- Small stipends on the scale of $100 for each student participant​

- SDSU certificates for each student participant​

- Long-term mentorship for the student participants



To indicate your interest, please email Saikat.Basu@sdstate.edu ​. Include your name and teaching position. OR complete this registration form and your information will be sent to Dr. Basu.
more info...		Coming Soon...

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