The College of Natural Sciences connects with community members and organizations to advance the University's institutional goal to "Grow the University’s external engagement through extension, collaborative service, community outreach, alumni relations and public-private partnerships that enhance the quality of life in South Dakota and beyond."
- Ensure that communities have a voice in defining the University’s external engagement activities.
- Align academic and outreach programming across the university to optimize institutional efforts to support tribal communities and underserved populations.
- Increase engagement with K-12 schools at the local, state and national levels.
- Build reciprocal relationships with industry partners.
- Celebrate, promote and communicate the results and impact of engagement activities.
Purpose: To provide hands-on college like academic experiences on SDSU campus to students, providing a look into the STEM field and overall pursuing interest in higher education.
Experience: Students will be able to take tours of labs and facilities.
Tour sights may include:
* Cadaver Lab
* Chemistry Lab
* Lecture Halls/Classrooms
* Student Union
Students will also be provided a science-related activity and/or demonstration from our department(s). Activity and demonstration will vary based on size of group.
Purpose: Science is fun and exciting, full of surprises. This program will bring science alive with demonstrations, hands-on activities and experiments that will have any students excited for their next lesson. Designed to spark interest in the STEM World and show how science can be both educational and fun in general.
Experience: Students will be provided hands-on activities and demonstrations related to various science topics. Programs can be designed in relation to school year lessons or requested interest areas. Activities and demonstrations will vary based on size of group.
**Programs can be designed for small groups, blocked scheduling or large audiences.**
Purpose: Faculty members and researchers of the College of Natural Sciences participate in the South Dakota EPSCoR Education Portal. The South Dakota EPSCoR Education Portal offers free curriculum enhancement resources for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) teachers to help educators implement inquiry based learning experiences and spark interest in K-12 students to pursue STEM careers.
Experience: The modules provide lesson plans, activities, multi-media content and the opportunity for teachers and students to connect to the research scientists, companies or organizations who are doing this work for in-person or virtual visits.
Availability may vary based on project and time of year.
Purpose: The Health Professions Camp aims to inform, educate and inspire high school students about the many careers available in health related professions. Sponsored by Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, the Health Professions Career Camp is supported and organized by the Department of Biology/Microbiology, College of Nursing and the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions.
Experience: Participants will have the chance to participate in field trips to health-care facilities and to interact with a variety of health-care professionals. The camp is designed to give motivated high school students a better understanding of the employment options and academic requirements associated with different majors and career paths related to health professions.
Purpose: What do you get when you combine Halloween with Science? A spooky delight! This program will showcase a series of science demonstrations, hands-on activities, and experiments that will have any observer in a delightful fright. Designed to spark interest in the STEM World, celebrate the fall fun, and show science can be both educational and fun in general.
Experience: Various demonstrations within the science arena with a Halloween theme. Activities and demonstrations will vary based on the size of the group.
Children of all ages can gather in the Jack’s Imagination Lab to learn about science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM,) courtesy of South Dakota State University (SDSU.)
Jack’s Imagination Lab, a room in the Kirby Science Discovery Center near the entrance to the Wells Fargo CineDome, is dedicated to educate others about STEAM through a variety of activities.
Experience: The room features a model of SDSU’s Coughlin Campanile, a chimes tower that stands at the corner of Eighth Street and Medary Avenue on campus. The model is surrounded by 10 iPads loaded with videos to educate visitors about the university. One can also complete a scavenger hunt by viewing a large display of images and facts to find answers on an activity sheet.
Available during normal Washington Pavilion hours.