The Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program 2026 Itinerary is four-weeks of exploring STEM through experiences that include connecting with STEM professionals and other students, visiting STEM industries across the Midwest along with science laboratories in the U.S. and abroad. Scholars also get the opportunity to visit national monuments and landmarks of cultural significance.
Sample 4-week itinerary (subject to change)
The Summer 2026 itinerary will offer a similar range and variety of experiences, though specific activities may vary.
| DATE |
TIME AND ACTIVITY |
| Sunday, June 14, 2026 | 12pm-2pm Check in at Black Hills State University (BHSU) Sanford Science Education Center (SSEC), Jonas Science 2pm Welcome Reception in SSEC Hallway with light snacks and beverages |
| Monday, June 15, 2026 |
(tentative - date of underground tour to be determined) Underground Tour of Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). |
| Tuesday, June 16, 2026 |
BHSU for Black Hills Mining Museum SURF presentations Surface tour |
| Wednesday, June 17, 2026 |
BHSU for intro to Particle Physics |
| Thursday, June 18, 2026 |
Journey Museum |
| Friday, June 19, 2026 |
BHSU/SD Mines activities |
| Saturday, June 20, 2026 |
TBD Black Hills outdoor activities |
| Sunday, June 21, 2026 |
Wall, SD Badlands National Park Sioux Falls, SD |
| Monday, June 22, 2026 |
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center Raven Industries |
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
Aberdeen, SD Virtual Care Center/Innovations Imagenetics PROMISE |
| Thursday, June 25, 2026 |
Madison, WI PSL |
| Friday, June 26, 2026 |
Geneva, IL Fermilab Chicago, IL |
| Saturday, June 27, 2026 |
Free Day in Chicago |
| Sunday, June 28, 2026 | Free Day in Chicago |
| Monday, June 29, 2026 | Depart Chicago for London |
| Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
London British Museum |
| Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | Churchill War Rooms |
| Thursday, July 2, 2026 | University College London |
| Friday, July 3, 2026 | Paddington Station to Oxford |
| Saturday, July 4, 2026 | Tower of London Westminster Abbey |
| Sunday, July 5, 2026 |
King's Cross Station to Whitby |
| Monday, July 6, 2026 |
Boulby Underground Laboratory |
| Tuesday, July 7, 2026 | Edinburgh, UK |
| Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | Royal Observatory University of Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle |
| Thursday, July 9, 2026 | Depart Edinburgh to U.S./Rapid City, SD |
| Friday, July 10, 2026 |
Design and practice presentations Neutrino Day Kick-Off Party at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, Lead, SD |
| Saturday, July 11, 2026 | Neutrino Day Activities |
| Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 11am-1pm Final Presentations/Reception at BHSU Check out at BHSU Residence Halls |
