Archives: Events

THIS CAMP IS CURRENTLY FULL.

An Elite Bladesmithing Experience is an immersive, four-day workshop for high school students to conduct bladesmithing and experience the Science of Swords!

Students will work directly with master blacksmith Mr. Jack Parks (Fire Steel Forge) to create a chef’s knife using traditional forging and heat-treating techniques. In addition to daily hands-on forging and blacksmithing activities, students will also explore the science and engineering principles behind blade-making under the guidance of Metallurgical Engineering Department Head Dr. Michael West. This component will include investigation of the scientific literature (ASM Handbooks, Materials Science and Engineering – An Introduction by Callister & Rethwisch) and laboratory testing. This is an elite workshop limited to 10 students.

Scientific/engineering principles will include:
Structure of metals
Principles of metalworking and forging
Processing and hardening of blades by heat treatment
Characterization of metals through advanced microscopy
Blade testing and performance

THIS CAMP IS CURRENTLY FULL.

Embark on an Unforgettable Journey into Robotics with “Robotics for Beginners Summer Camp!”

Are you a high school student eager to unlock the mysteries of robotics and witness the magic of automation unfold before your eyes? Look no further! Join us at “Robotics for Beginners,” a cutting-edge summer camp that promises an exhilarating dive into the realm of autonomous machines. Imagine steering a small, ingenious robotic vehicle, programmed by none other than you! From grasping the fundamental principles of robotics to hands-on experimentation, this camp is your ticket to an adventure like no other.

We will take you on an adventure that includes, understanding flight, aircraft maintenance and building, avionics, air traffic control and much more. You will get to fly our flight simulator and go for a ride in a small airplane if you wish. We will tour Rapid City Airport and learn how it works from behind the scenes. At the end of this camp, you will understand the wide variety of careers available in aviation and how many of them connect to STEM.

Join us at South Dakota Mines to begin your pathway to a healthcare career! Our health science camp will provide you with the opportunity to explore various healthcare pathways through discussions with students and local professionals, hands-on laboratory experiences, and tours of local clinical facilities. Come get glimpse of your future in healthcare at South Dakota Mines…. for a fun and pre-health pathways to careers in healthcare.

Join our Health Science faculty on for this exciting summer camp!

With texts and textiles as our focus, students will learn about technology from the perspective of the humanities, arts, and social sciences. We will delve into the aesthetics, design, production, sustainability, and social/historical contexts of printing and textile-related technologies (e.g., clothing, fabric, etc.). Students will explore big ideas from the interdisciplinary academic field of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and apply them to hands-on creative design projects that represent and express ways of understanding the intersection of technology and society in the past, present, and future. Students will develop and use their creative problem-solving skills in the Art Studio and Makerspace to design and print, sew, or construct a project of their choice to display in the APEX Gallery at the end of the camp.

THIS CAMP IS CURRENTLY FULL.

Explore metals, nanomaterials, composites, and polymers.
Dive into hands-on activities like heat treating, blacksmithing, welding, and casting.
Test materials for impact and tensile strength, and analyze them using optical and scanning electron microscopes.
Step into the shoes of a forensic engineer by investigating material failures and authenticating historic metal artifacts.
This day camp is powered by the ASM Materials Education Foundation and led by expert professors at South Dakota Mines. Ready to unlock the mysteries of materials and engineering? Join us!

Dive into the explosive world of mining, where you’ll spend the week mastering the science behind detonations through hands-on blasting, rock-breaking experiments, and essential mine safety training. Witness firsthand how engineers harness powerful blasts to unearth precious minerals, sculpt dramatic landscapes, and carve iconic wonders like Crazy Horse from solid mountainsides.

Discover Our Camp Program

Our residential Jr. State Camp is a 4-day, 3-night overnight camp at Lake Byron, open to anyone interested in agriculture, cooperatives, Farmers Union, and leadership—no farming background required. All you need is curiosity about South Dakota’s leading industry.

Program highlights include:

• A 4-day, 3-night overnight camp experience

• Making friends from across the state

• Learning from agriculture leaders

• Tours of agricultural and cooperative facilities

• Exploring cooperative principles

• Plenty of fun activities

Campers can earn achievement trips and leadership awards through continued participation.

Transportation is includedwith multiple bus routes and convenient pick-up locations across the state.

Scholarships available.