Sanford PROMISE
Sanford PROMISE is the outreach arm of Sanford Research. We connect the communities in our region with cutting-edge biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. Sanford PROMISE is the premiere medical research outreach program in the Great Plains region. Through community engagement and rural outreach, we promote science literacy and contribute to STEM workforce development by building awareness of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research.
Our mission is to build awareness of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research and its connection to the standards of care, through community outreach and engagement. We are dedicated to creating a science outreach program that stimulates learners to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and the innovators of tomorrow.
Resources for educators:
- Lesson plans aligned with national standards, complete with educational slideshows, videos, and hands on activities that are tied to the cutting-edge science done at Sanford Research.
- Summer professional development for educators. Check for registration in March.
- Classroom visits: Bring the PROMISE team to your classroom or bring your class to our state-of-the-art facility at Sanford Research.
- Borrow equipment from our Equipment Lending Library to use for free in your classroom.
- PROMISE Community Lectures are community events that highlight the work done at Sanford Research.
Opportunities for high school students:
- Biomedical Research Investigation Days are day-long immersive experiences in the PROMISE lab. Dive deep into a subject that is studied at Sanford Research on a no-school day.
- Teen Science Café is a group run by teens for teens. This group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at features a different speaker each time. Come to one or come to them all. Open to students in 7th-12th grade.
- PROMISE Community Lectures are community events that highlight the work done at Sanford Research.
- The Research Shadowing Program provides shadow opportunities to students 16 years or older and will give you a chance to check out the daily life of a research scientist.
Opportunities for middle school students:
- Teen Science Café is a group run by teens for teens. This group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at features a different speaker each time. Come to one or come to them all. Open to students in 7th-12th grade.
- Sanford PROMISE offers summer programs for middle school students including one day programs and multiple day programs. Check for registration in March.
Elementary
We spark curiosity and instill problem-solving skills in younger kids – while making science fun.
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Middle School
Students will dive into the basics of scientific learning and examine the “whys” of our world.
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High School
At advanced levels, we help students apply scientific concepts and take charge of their learning.
Start HereAbout PROMISE
The Sanford Program for the Midwest Initiative in Science Exploration (PROMISE) was developed to connect communities in our region with cutting edge science and research. In 2010, Sanford Research created an outreach program to provide science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experiences for K-12 students across South Dakota and neighboring states...
Learn More About PROMISEBlog
3 Misconceptions About Science
Have you ever felt frustrated trying to understand what scientists agree on? Are fats healthy or to be avoided? Is coffee good for me or bad? There seems to be conflicting information on the news about “what the science says.” Science and research are often intimidating and daunting topics to understand. Additionally, the ever-evolving nature of research can be frustrating to keep up with. Think of science as a living, growing organism. Every day it changes and grows as it gains more experience. We hope that next time you hear a news story about the latest science phenomena, you think about these common misconceptions:
PROMISE summer camp: A camper perspective
Sanford PROMISE offers summer camp experiences for teens that provides them with hands-on experience in a biomedical research lab setting. These day- camps allow students to dive deep into a science topic such as genetics, anatomy, and engineering. We talked to a student who has attended multiple PROMISE camps to learn about her experience. Mazzi Moore is a freshman at Brandon Valley High School in Brandon, SD. She was in 6th grade when she attended her first PROMISE camp.
Biomedical Research Investigation Days
The Sanford PROMISE team works tirelessly to help students engage in hands on science. Our Biomedical Research Investigation (BRI) programs allow students to engage in science as an elective activity.
Resources
Using Punnett Squares
PrintableThis worksheet will apply classroom topics to real-life science.
Introduction to Bioinformatics: Viral Proteins
UnitThe SARS-CoV-2 virus causes COVID-19. In clinics and labs around the world, people are trying to understand how it works. Students will follow a case study and use a computer database to study the genetic sequence of a novel virus.
From DNA to Protein
UnitGenetic disorders are traced back to DNA mutations. There any many types of mutations that lead to issues during cell protein creation. In this lesson, students will learn how DNA can affect proteins, discover the effects of a gene mutation, and learn about gene therapy as a treatment option.