SURF Underground Tour **SURF UNDERGROUND TOUR SCHEDULE** Time Activity SDSTA Lead / Facilitator Location 1:00 p.m. (10 min) Visitors arrive at SURF Stop at Yates Guard House for parking directions Security Support 630 E. Summit St., Lead, SD 1:10 p.m. (5 min) Welcome and check-in Cheryl Hess Administration Bldg, Front Desk 1:15 p.m. (30 min) SURF Overview Doug Tiedt?? E&O Conference Room 1:45 p.m. (25 min) Safety training and waivers ESH Support E&O Conference Room 2:10 p.m. (20 min) Don PPE Security Support Yates PPE Room / Ramp 2:30 p.m. (15 min) Brass in Cage down to 4100L (Regular Time) Ops Support Yates Shaft 2:45 p.m. (10 min) Underground Orientation Guides 4850L Big X 2:55 p.m. (10 min) Enter lab, exchange PPE Science Support 4850L Davis Campus Cart Wash 3:05 p.m. (75 min) Davis Campus briefing and discussions Guides 4850L Davis Campus 4:20 p.m. (10 min) Exchange PPE, exit lab Guides 4100L testbed, Yates/Ross headers 4:30 p.m. (15 min) Cage up to surface (Regular Time) Brass out Ops Support Yates Shaft 4:45 p.m. (15 min) Return PPE Security Support Yates Ramp / PPE Room 5:00 p.m. Adjourn

Welcome and Introductions

• Jaret Heise (SDSTA/SURF)
• Mickey Slimp
• Stacie Granum (SDSTA/The Institute)

Room: Classroom 1:00 pm - Welcome and Announcements (10 minutes) - Mickey and Stacie 1:10 pm - Introductions and University/Organization Updates (20 minutes) During introductions, each university group to provide a brief update about their related projects and initiatives.

Quantum Science and Research

• Parthasarathi Nag
• Jaret Heise (SDSTA/SURF)
• Dongming Mei

Room: Classroom **Foundations and Frontiers of Quantum Science and Research** This session will focus on fundamental concepts, mathematical foundations, and research applications that are shaping the future of quantum science. Through three presentations, attendees will hear about quantum computation, gain insight into the principles of quantum physics, and learn about the cutting-edge research environment and scientific opportunities at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The session will feature: * **Group Theoretic Overview of the Quantum Core in Shor's algorithm** – *Parthasarathi Nag* * **Quantum Physics** – *Dongming Mei* * **SURF Research** – *Jaret Heise* Each speaker will provide a 15-minute overview of their area of expertise, offering participants a broader understanding of how mathematics, physics, and world-leading research infrastructure converge to advance quantum science and technology.

Quantum Education and Workforce Development

• Chip Byers
• Brent Van Aartsen
• Tom Coffin

Room: Classroom **Quantum Education and Workforce Development: Building the Future Quantum Ecosystem** As quantum science and technology continue to advance, developing a skilled workforce and robust educational pathways is essential to sustaining innovation and expanding opportunities across the region and beyond. This session will explore approaches to quantum education, workforce preparation, and talent development through perspectives from higher education, industry engagement, and emerging educational models. Through three presentations, participants will gain insight into current efforts to build quantum-ready talent pipelines, strengthen educational programs, and create collaborative pathways that connect students, educators, researchers, and industry partners. The session will feature: * Tom Coffin * Chip Byers * Brent Van Aartsen Each speaker will provide a 15-minute overview of their work and perspectives, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and strategies for advancing quantum education and workforce development across the Great Plains region and beyond.

Partner Grant Updates and Collaborative Funding Opportunities (Facilitator: Mickey Slimp) Room: Classroom Partner Grant Updates and Collaborative Funding Opportunities This interactive session provides an opportunity for participants to share updates on current quantum-related grants, collaborative projects, and funding initiatives across their institutions and organizations. Participants are invited to provide brief updates on active awards, emerging proposals, and potential funding opportunities that could benefit from regional collaboration. The discussion will help identify shared priorities, strengthen partnerships, and explore new opportunities to pursue collaborative research, education, workforce development, and infrastructure funding.

Reception Room: Gallery Area

Reflect on Day 1

• Mickey Slimp (GPN)

Room: Classroom

Keynote: Emily Easton, Chicago Quantum Exchange, Dir of Education & Workforce

• Emily Easton

Room: Classroom **Dr. Emily Easton** is Director of Education and Workforce Development at the Chicago Quantum Exchange, where she leads regional workforce initiatives across CQE, the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, and the Q-NEXT Department of Energy quantum center. Her work focuses on building inclusive talent pathways that connect universities, national laboratories, community colleges, K–12 partners, and industry. She develops programs that expand access to quantum education and careers, including hands-on training, undergraduate research experiences, employer engagement, and regional “on-ramps” into the quantum ecosystem.

Quantum Network Initiatives

• Eden Figueroa

Eden Figueroa - virtual presentation

Virtual Speaker: Eden Figueroa, Stony Brook University

• Eden Figueroa

Room: Classroom

Breakout Groups Report Out Room: Classroom Each breakout group will report out on key takeaways and ideas from each group discussion. Reporters: Breakout Group 1: Quantum Networking and Computing Reporter: Tom Coffin Breakout Group 2: Quantum Education and Workforce Development Reporter: Chip Byers Breakout Group 3: Quantum Research Reporter: Parthasarathi Nag

Reflect on Day 2

• MICKEY SLIMP

Room: Classroom

Leave for Rapid City, SD Mines - attendees responsible for transportation

Nonlinear Optical Properties of 2D Quantum Materials and South Dakota Mines site visit

• Steve Smith

Room: Nucor Mineral Industries building (Room 246) Talk: Nonlinear Optical Properties of 2D Quantum Materials by Steve Smith, SD Mines The Quantum Materials Institute is focused on discovery of novel 2D materials, heterostructures and metasurfaces to achieve compact systems with enhanced second-order nonlinear processes, including second harmonic generation (SHG) and spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC), important processes for generating quantum light and implementing quantum communications networks. The institute includes expertise in synthesis, assembly, optical characterization and computational modeling. In concert, self-assembled plasmonic meta-surfaces and their chiral assembly are being developed. We use spatially- and spectrally-resolved, polarization-resolved multi-photon excitation microscopy to observe the effects of stacking, strain, and twist angle in single and few-layer 2D materials including WSe2, In2Se3 and Benzylammonium Perovskites based on I, Br, and Cl. In partnership with MonArk Quantum Foundry, heterostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides have been designed and fabricated, allowing the effects of transverse electric fields to be investigated. In addition, the infrastructure established by the institute, their capabilities and early demonstrations will be discussed. **Lab Tours following talk**

Building a GPN-Wide Quantum Strategy - Facilitator: Mickey Slimp Room: Nucor Mineral Industries Building (room 246) **Building a GPN-Wide Quantum Strategy** **Facilitator:** Mickey Slimp As the culminating session of the workshop, participants will come together to synthesize key ideas, priorities, and recommendations that emerged throughout the meeting. Drawing from the breakout discussions on quantum research, networking and computing, education and workforce development, and collaborative funding opportunities, the group will identify shared goals and define strategic priorities for advancing quantum science and technology across the Great Plains region. The session will focus on strengthening partnerships, identifying actionable next steps, and establishing a collaborative framework to guide future GPN-wide quantum initiatives.

Recap and What's Next in Quantum - Facilitator: Mickey Slimp

• Mickey Slimp
• Jaret Heise (SDSTA/SURF)
• Stacie Granum (SDSTA/The Institute)

**Recap and What's Next in Quantum** The workshop will conclude with a reflection on the key themes, outcomes, and connections developed throughout the meeting. Participants will review the strategic priorities and action items identified during the workshop and discuss opportunities to maintain momentum through continued collaboration. The session will include plans for bi-monthly virtual discussion groups, updates on upcoming initiatives, and dates for the 2027 Summer Quantum Partnership Workshop. Participants will be invited to share final thoughts and identify ways to remain engaged as the Great Plains quantum community continues to grow and collaborate.