PROMISE Summer Programs

Sanford PROMISE summer programs are a great way to gain hands-on science experience and learn about current research being done at Sanford Research. All programs will operate on a rolling admission with first come, first served. Registration opens February 2nd, 2025 and will close when a date reaches capacity.

STUDENT PROGRAMS

Future Innovators: Bridging Engineering, Research and Health Care

The Future Innovators program is an exciting, hands-on experience designed for middle school students passionate about making a difference through innovation. This program empowers students to explore the intersection of engineering, research and health care by teaching them the skills needed to come future innovators and problem-solvers. 

Full attendance is required for this one day camp. 

Open to students in grades 6-8 in the 2024-2025 school year. 

June 4th or June 26th, 2025 from 8:30am-3:00pm at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, SD 

June 10th, 2025 from 8:30am-3:00pm at the NDSU Campus in Fargo, ND 

August 4th, 2025 from 8:30am-3:00pm at Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Luverne, MN

Sioux Falls Flyer       Fargo Flyer       Luverne Flyer

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.

Open to students in grades 6-8 in the 2024-2025 school year. 

July 22nd - July 25th, 2025 from 8:30am-3:00pm (four day camp) at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls

Research in Action: An Inside Look at Biomedical Research

Summers at Sanford Research are very lively as college students from across the country join Sanford Research through the Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) which is an immersive 10-week summer program that provide students the opportunity to gain the skills and prepare for a career in science while still in school. During this experience, high school students will be given an opportunity to shadow an undergraduate researcher during part of their routine day. The day will also consist of time in the PROMISE lab to prepare and debrief from the shadow experience.

Open to students in grades 9-12 in the 2024-2025 school year. 

July 10th, 2025 from 8:30am-3:00pm at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls