2026 Events and Activities
Join us for a full day of hands-on activities, live science performances, underground connections, and tours throughout the city of Lead, South Dakota.
Events by location
Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center
Your event headquarters!
Registration and tour sign-up
Virtual and augmented reality
Live science demonstrations by Fermilab, and others
Homestake Opera House
Engage with scientists, performers, and educators starting at 9 AM until 5 PM
Underground livestream from the DUNE Caverns
A special panel with visiting scientists from around the world
SURF 101: all about America's Underground Lab
Science Steve - Sponsored by SDPB
Music in the Courtyard by One-Arm Bandits
More Than Gold: Lead's History on Display
Handley Center
Experience hands-on STEM activities for all ages from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Little Shop of Physics
Museum of Geology
The Mammoth Site
and more!
Tours
Enjoy tours starting at 9 AM until 3:30 PM
Historic Yates Hoistroom
Tour the historic, 85-year-old Yates Hoistroom and get a behind-the-scenes look at the massive machinery that powers the elevator system carrying people and equipment nearly a mile underground.
Book your tour at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center! Registration will remain open until tours are full.
Morning Tours: 9 AM–12 PM | Registration opens at 8:30 AM
Afternoon Tours: 1–3:30 PM | Registration opens at 11:00 AM
Feed Your Curiosity—and Yourself!
Take a break and refuel! Food trucks and local restaurants will be open throughout Lead, including free ice cream all day!
Alphabetical listing of tables, booths and activities.
| Activity Name | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| BHUC | Learn about radiation detection research at the Black Hills Underground Campus through displays and discussions with student researchers. | Handley Center |
| Brownfield Grant Info | Explore how environmental cleanup and redevelopment efforts support stewardship of historic properties and community spaces. | Visitor Center |
| CASPAR | Discover the CASPAR experiment through a 3D model display, spectroscopy activities, and educational presentations about underground science. | Handley Center |
| Chalk Art | Tap into your inner artist and get creative by the Davis Ring! | Visitor Center |
| Coeur Wharf Science Experiments | Enjoy a variety of science experiments for public interaction and exploration. | Handley Center |
| Dakota Gold | Learn about current mining projects and exploration activities taking place in the Black Hills. | Handley Center |
| Dakota STEAM Learning | Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on STEAM explorations that allow them to experience science while creating. | Handley Center |
| E-CORE STEM Education | Visitors to this display will learn about science research happening in South Dakota and engage in a hands-on activity to help connect this research with real-world experiences. Themes include renewable energy and SD ecosystems. Target audience is all ages. | Handley Center |
| Fermilab Education Office | Fermilab office of Education and Public Engagement will be bringing the hands-on Intro to Fermilab science kit, which highlights the standard model, DUNE collaboration, and a spectroscopy demo. | Handley Center |
| Fermilab LBNF/DUNE booth | Learn about the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment through educational displays and informational materials. | Visitor Center |
| Freind or Foe: The Secret World of Fungi | Become a fungal detective while exploring the roles fungi play in ecosystems, agriculture, and food safety through interactive activities and demonstrations. | Handley Center |
| LZ - The Hunt for Dark Matter | Discover how scientists search for dark matter through interactive displays and hands-on activities designed for all ages. | Handley Center |
| Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream | Watch liquid nitrogen in action while learning about extreme temperatures and enjoying a frozen science-themed treat. | Handley Center |
| Little Shop of Physics | Explore a variety of hands-on physics demonstrations presented by this traveling science outreach program. | Hampton |
| Make a DNA Bracelet! | Learn about genetics by creating colorful DNA bracelets based on real genetic sequences from plants and animals. | Handley Center |
| Name that Dinosaur | Examine real fossils, learn about paleontology, and participate in a dinosaur-naming activity inspired by scientific classification. | Handley Center |
| Native American Traditional Games | Learn the history and cultural significance of traditional Indigenous games through guided demonstrations and hands-on participation. | Handley Center |
| Neutrino Alley at Oak Ridge National Laboratory | Explore neutrino science through virtual reality experiences, interactive computer activities, and hands-on demonstrations. | Handley Center |
| Northern Hills Master Gardeners | Visit the ethnobotanical garden to learn about Indigenous traditions, plants, and cultural connections to the natural world. | Garden |
| One-Armed Bandits (Live Band) | Enjoy live music performed by regional musicians with connections to science and education programs. | Visitor Center |
| Orbital debris (space junk!) | Learn how orbital debris affects satellites through interactive demonstrations and activities focused on space science. | Handley Center |
| Robotics | Program and interact with robots while learning the basics of coding, engineering, and robotics. | Handley Center |
| SDSTA Engineering Tools | Explore the tools and technologies used to support underground science, including 3D printing, acoustic imaging, and digital modeling. | Handley Center |
| SURF Artist-in-Residence | Meet SURF's 2026 Artist in Residence and participate in creative activities that connect art and science. | Visitor Center |
| SURF EO STEM Activity | Participate in a hands-on science activity hosted by SURF's Education and Outreach team. | Handley Center |
| Tectonic Plates | Use cookie models to simulate tectonic plate movement and learn how Earth's surface changes over time. | Handley Center |
| Traditional native games | Experience traditional Indigenous games and activities that highlight cultural heritage and community traditions. | Visitor Center |
| Underground Ventilation Activity | Learn how ventilation systems move air through underground environments using an interactive demonstration featuring fans and airflow models. | Handley Center |
| Exploring Sound waves | Explore the science of sound through paper-cup phones and a student-built acoustic levitation demonstration. | Handley Center |
| Van de Graaff Accelerator | Experience electricity and accelerators in a fun way | Handley Center |
| Clothe-A-Kid and Hope's Kitchen | Learn about local community support programs while creating colorful stained-glass-inspired art projects. | Handley Center |