Our Mission and Vision

The Education and Outreach Department at Sanford Underground Laboratory at Homestake is committed to sharing the excitement and promise of deep underground science and engineering at Homestake with learners of all ages worldwide. Plans are underway for innovative programs, both onsite and off, that will feature the uniqueness of Homestake, its history, cultural aspects, and setting within the Black Hills, the uniqueness of the science, and the fascinating process of scientific exploration. The Sanford Center for Science Education (SCSE), to be developed as part of the DUSEL construction project, will serve to connect scientists, educators, students, and members of the general public who venture to the DUSEL site, be it physically or virtually, throughout the region and around the world.

Working with physics and physical science teachers in the secondary schools, and faculty at universities and tribal undergraduate institutions, we will use DUSEL science and engineering to spark a renewed interest in science and engineering careers among school age youth across the nation, particularly among those groups historically under-represented in science and engineering. The location of DUSEL in an economically disadvantaged region with an American Indian population of 8-10% gives the Sanford Center for Science Education a unique opportunity to affect change in this area.

Early Activities

Prior to DUSEL and SCSE construction, scheduled to begin in 2012, we are pursuing a program of targeted early education and outreach activities. These activities will serve as prototypes and build capacity for the programs to come in the future. Watch the upcoming events link for specifics.