SURF Names South Dakota Mines Museum of Geology Winner of the 2023 CORES Award

The Sanford Underground Research Facility has named the South Dakota Mines Museum of Geology the 2023 recipient of the Communications and Outreach Experiences in Science (CORES) Award. 

The CORES Award is given annually by SURF to an individual, group, business, or organization that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to public outreach efforts across the state of South Dakota. The award recognizes those who undertake STEM communication efforts that raise awareness about the sciences in ways that are readily accessible to the general public. 

“For over a century, the Museum of Geology has exemplified everything the CORES award stands for in uplifting STEM learning, communication, and engagement for all ages,” said Mike Headley, executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority and laboratory director at SURF. “The incredible programming offered by the museum, including multiple free public events throughout the year, along with the STEM advocacy, expertise, and outreach provided by museum staff to the media and the public, make the South Dakota Mines Museum of Geology an exceptional CORES Award recipient.”  

The Museum of Geology is located on the campus of South Dakota Mines and has been collecting and displaying new specimens since 1885. The museum is home to the largest collection of Oligocene era fossils from the White River Badlands in the world. The Museum of Geology also boasts a vast collection of minerals and fossils from around the area and around the globe. The museum is free to the public, with more than 25,000 visitors annually. 

The CORES Award will be presented during the Deep Talks event starting at 5 p.m. on January 11, 2024, at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center in Lead.   

About SURF

Sanford Underground Research Facility is operated by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) with funding from the Department of Energy's Office of Science. Our mission is to advance world class science and inspire learning across generations. Visit SURF at www.sanfordlab.org.