Community

Attend the PROMISE Community Lecture Series

Are you interested in science? Have you ever wondered about the scientific research being performed in your own community? The PROMISE Community Lecture Series provides a unique opportunity for science-minded individuals within our community to learn about local research projects from the scientists themselves. Lectures are provided by leading academic and industry scientists within the region.

Upcoming event:

Topic: Microplastic particles in human cells and tissues: Review of medical studies
Presenter: Bruce Krawisz, MD | Emeritus Research, Molecular Pathologist with the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute
Date: Thursday, October 9^th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Link to register: https://bit.ly/4oLazqk

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BRI day is hosted by the PROMISE Lab at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, SD. These one-day immersive experiences give students the chance to dig deep into a topic. They will learn firsthand from research scientists and get an inside look at the research lab.

Two sessions are scheduled for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Mapping the Mind: Advances in Brain Development Research with the Pilaz Lab

Date: October 13^th, 2025 (Please note we have reached capacity for this event)
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm (Lunch provided)
Who: Students in grades 10-12
Where: Sanford Research | 2301 E. 60th Street North, Sioux Falls
Fee: There is no fee to attend this event. Attendance will be capped at 15 students with first-come first served registration.

Topic: Brain development with the Bustos Lab

Date: February 16th, 2026
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm (Lunch provided)
Who: Students in grades 10-12
Where: Sanford Research | 2301 E. 60th Street North, Sioux Falls
Fee: There is no fee to attend this event. Attendance will be capped at 15 students with first-come first served registration.

Please note that BRI days are held on days when many local school districts do not have school. Please check your school calendar before signing up to make sure you can attend. Attendance is expected for the whole day. Partial attendance will not be allowed. Please plan to spend the full time from 9:00am-4:00pm at Sanford Research. 

Sanford PROMISE summer programs are a great way to gain hands-on science experience and explore a scientific topic in depth. All programs will operate on a rolling admission with first come, first served. Registration will open on February 2nd, 2026 and will close when a date reaches capacity. All Sioux Falls sessions will take place at Sanford Research and all one and two-day camps are free to attend. 

Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to receive the dates and links to register. 

Inside Out: An Engineering and Anatomy Experience

Get ready to think like a real-life problem solver!

You’ll be given a health challenge through a case study, and your mission is to design an innovative solution—just like engineers and doctors do in the real world. Along the way, you’ll uncover the secrets of the cardiovascular system and discover why solving health problems isn’t always simple. By the end, you’ll see how creativity and science team up to make healthcare better for everyone.

Open to students grades 6-8 in the 2025-2026 school year. Full attendance is required. This program is a one-day event and will be offered at several different dates throughout the summer. A minimum of 10 registrants is needed for the camp to proceed.

 

  June 3rd, 2026 - Sioux Falls, SD

June 9th, 2026 - Fargo, ND

June 22nd, 2026 - Sioux Falls, SD

July 9th, 2026 - Sioux Falls, SD

 

All programs are scheduled from 8:30am-3:00pm

Finding Your Roots: A Genetics and Genealogy Experience 

What is more interesting than you? In this program, students will use science to answer the question “Who am I?” Students will extract and analyze their own DNA, learn about human evolution, and dig into the stories of their ancestors.

Participants will need parental/guardian permission to submit a DNA sample in April in order to be enrolled in the program. The program is limited to 24 students on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon enrolling, you will be notified within 5 business days of registration confirmation. You must be able to attend all 4 days of this program, partial attendance will not be accepted. Please note that, due to the expenses associated with this camp, a deposit by check of $100 is required at the time you pick up the DNA test kit. If the participant attends all four days in their entirety, the deposit will be refunded. If you need information on how to apply for a scholarship, please reach out to sanfordoutreach@sanfordhealth.org.

Open to students in grades 6-8 in the 2025-2026 school year.

July 21st - July 24, 2026 from 8:30am-3:00pm each day

Body Works: Health Careers and Anatomy 

Your body is an incredible high-tech machine made of cells, tissues, organs, and systems all working together. During this two-day experience, you’ll dive into real health care careers and get hands-on with the organs and systems those professionals work with every day. Participants will need parental/guardian permission to participate in dissection. The program is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will need to attend both days of this program, partial attendance will not be accepted.

Open to students in 9th and 10th grade in the 2025-2026 school year.

The first day of this program will be held at the Sanford USD Medical Center Campus, in Sioux Falls, SD. The second day will be held at Sanford Research, in Sioux Falls, SD.

 

Registration link for all sessions: https://bit.ly/Summer2026_PROMISE

Tour the PROMISE Community Laboratory

In the heart of Sanford Research’s laboratory lives a high-tech classroom space designed to accommodate up to 24 learners participating in a hands-on science experience. Our team of educators will personalize an experience to meet the content and ability requirements for your group. Public and private school classes, after-school programs, girl and boy scout clubs and others are invited.

Attend Teen Science Café
Teen Science Café is a free, fun way for teens to explore advances in science and technology affecting their lives. Teens and STEM experts engage in lively conversations and activities to explore a topic deeply. Teen Science Café brings together teens from all over the greater Sioux Falls region to learn from scientists in their community.

Open to grades 7-12

Most events are held at the Sanford Research Center unless otherwise noted. Some events will include a virtual option but please keep in mind that hands-on experiences can only be experienced in-person. Please note that some dates may change from the first Tuesday of the month due to speakers availability. 

Upcoming events:

Date: Tuesday, March 3rd
Topic: What are neutrinos?
Presenter: Dr. Drew Alton, Professor of Physics | Augustana University
Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Sanford Research, 2301 E. 60th Street North, Sioux Falls

 

Link to register: https://bit.ly/teensciencecafe

 
Additional dates for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 

 

Cells to Code 2026 Professional Development

Course Description: This four-day professional development course introduces secondary education teachers to the intersection of computational thinking and biomedical research, emphasizing practical, classroom-ready applications. The first two days focus on computational thinking as a broadly applicable problem-solving approach that strengthens analysis, supports sense-making, and can be introduced through simple unplugged lessons or extended into coding when students need computational power to explore more complex questions. Participants will explore how computational approaches, including machine learning, data analysis, and algorithm development, support real-world biology and healthcare research.

Teachers will engage in hands-on activities at Sanford Research and affiliated locations. Activities may include collecting motion capture data for biomechanical analysis, designing machine learning models to classify complex data sets, and exploring emerging technologies used in healthcare and research. These experiences illustrate how computational thinking equips STEM professionals to tackle contemporary challenges in biology, healthcare, and data-driven decision making.

The course will feature guidance from the PROMISE team and the CAMSE team, who will demonstrate practical ways computation enhances research, fosters collaboration, and informs problem-solving in scientific contexts. Participants will also gain exposure to cutting-edge virtual healthcare tools, understanding how these technologies are applied today and how they are shaping the future of biomedical research and patient care.

By the end of the course, teachers will have practical strategies for integrating computational thinking and AI concepts into their classrooms, inspiring students to think critically, creatively, and analytically.

June 15–18, 2026 in Sioux Falls, SD

This course is capped at 24 educators.

2 credit available for purchases through USD at $40 each

$600 stipend available for those who attend all 4 days.