Dakota Life: Science & Learning in South Dakota

Science, learning and creativity are at the center of SDPB’s latest episode of Dakota Life.

Makerspace at Augustana

Take a campus visit to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, where Education majors have the opportunity to experience cutting-edge classroom tools through Makerspace workshops. Robots, iPads and circuit boards help students of any level engage with a variety of subjects in a way that feels like play. Assistant Professor of Education Michelle Powers applied for and received a grant from the Oliver Innovation Fund to help future teachers learn to incorporate Makerspace in their classrooms. “Makerspace is a concept that schools are employing to help students learn how to solve problems basically with both everyday tools and technology tools. It’s also a way to explore learning concepts like robotics and coding.” says Powers.

Sanford PROMISE Community Lab

South Dakota students from K-12 through graduate school can explore science and research at the PROMISE Community Laboratory, a high-tech classroom space in Sioux Falls. Sanford Research, the non-profit research organization partnered by Sanford Health and the University of South Dakota, operates the PROMISE (Program for the Midwest Initiative in Science Exploration) Lab, which offers hands-on science activities and lab tours for South Dakota’s next generation of scientists.

Rapid City Robotics

Meet Rapid Acceleration Team #4593, the robotics club of Rapid City-area high school students whose team spirit and love of competition energize their participation in STEM activities.

Field Experience at Field-to-Table

In 2001, Ray Hall, a farmer based in Burbank, opened his field to students to learn about corn and soybean production. Hall retired in 2006, but since 2008 Greg and Tara Pirak, owners of Gayville’s Valley Ag Supply, have continued the program. Held every September the week after Labor Day, the Field-to-Table field experience in 2019 had over 790 grade school and middle school students from 18 schools learning about farm operations, growing local commodities, and how we use crops in our daily lives.

The latest Dakota Life premieres Thursday, April 2, at 8pm (7 MT) and rebroadcasts Saturday, April 4 at 1pm (noon MT) and Saturday, April 8 at 9:30pm (8:30 MT) on SDPB1. Watch previous episodes online at SDPB.org/TV/DakotaLife