LEAD, S.D. (July 23, 2025) — For eight aspiring scientists, the Davis-Bahcall Scholar Program at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) offered more than just a summer break—it opened the door to global research opportunities and career-shaping experiences rooted in South Dakota’s scientific legacy.
The monthlong program, designed for rising college freshmen and sophomores pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), took this year’s scholars on an educational journey from the depths of the Black Hills to the underground tunnels of England’s Boulby Laboratory. Funded in part by First PREMIER Bank and the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority, the program covers all expenses and provides each participant with a $2,000 learning stipend.
“This isn’t something most people get to do, especially at my age,” said Clark Egland, a biochemistry student at Augustana University in Sioux Falls. “The Davis-Bahcall Scholars program has opened my eyes to how much more is out there beyond the classroom.”
The itinerary kicked off in South Dakota, where students toured SURF, the Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS) in Sioux Falls, and eight laboratories at South Dakota State University. The program then expanded across the Midwest, with visits to labs in Madison, Wis., including the Physical Sciences Lab, which builds panels for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) based at SURF.
The U.S. leg concluded at Fermilab in Illinois, where scholars learned about neutrino research and the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF). After a brief immersion into Chicago culture, including stops at the Shedd Aquarium and a taste of deep-dish pizza, the group departed for London.
In the U.K., students visited iconic sites like the British Museum and the University of Oxford before heading underground—literally—to Boulby Laboratory, a working mine and scientific research site beneath England’s North York Moors.
“I’m at a loss for words. This was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Wyatt Shell, a mechanical engineering student from South Carolina.
The program, which wrapped on July 13, is designed to spark scientific curiosity and provide hands-on exposure to real-world research. For students like Katelyn Jarzobski, a physics major at Black Hills State University, the experience was eye-opening.
“It opened my eyes to science programs and new career paths that I had no idea even existed,” she said. “If you’re considering applying to it, do it. It’s worth it.”
Parents of the scholars also praised the program, especially for its focus on South Dakota students. Clark Egland’s parents, Paul and Kristi Egland, emphasized how the timing of the experience—before students fully commit to college majors—can make a lasting impact.
“This program is designed especially for South Dakota students,” Paul Egland said. “We’re proud of the opportunities it offers here in the Black Hills and beyond.”
Since its inception in 2009, more than 100 students have completed the Davis-Bahcall program, many going on to pursue advanced STEM degrees and careers. The initiative is jointly supported by Black Hills State University, the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium, and other partners committed to advancing science education in South Dakota.
