Recently we went on a field trip to SURF (Sandford Underground Research Facility) formally known as the Homestake Mine in Lead, SD. We were able to go by the gracious grant from the Custer Youth and Alumni Foundation. Here, we visited the Yates Headframe (the big white building) and its Hoist room. This room is responsible for lifting the rope (for every 1 ft. of rope = 5 pounds- and each headframe has 5,000 ft. of rope) that is connected to the elevators for the shafts to take the scientists (formally the miners) and equipment down into the mine. (picture of yellow wall is those lifts) While they have been down further all the Science experiments are done on the 4850ft. Underground level, temperatures can reach around 100 degrees.
The first ever experiment that was done while it was a gold mine- was the Solar Neutrino
Experiment in the 1970s, by Dr. Raymond Davis Jr. While during his time experimenting no one
really realized how revolutionary his work was, that is until the early 2000s, where he won the
Noble prize for his work. They have since taken the original experiment out (the big ring that all
of the 6th grade is in was part of that experiment) they have many going on now like the LUX
Zeplin-the DUNE experiment and others. These are all working with dark matter and neutrinos.
There are 370 miles of tunnels from the mine which equals out to 9,000 acres. While it is no
longer a gold mine- they are trying to make it the world's largest underground facility- as it is the
largest in North America anyway.
After our tour, the students were paired up and given the challenge to create their own hoist system using the materials they were given. Without any further instructions, it was up to them to gain their building permits- and to complete the challenges (4 in total.) This was really fun and they did great at problem solving. To finish out our day we moved to the visitor center to do a scavenger hunt about all that SURF has- more historical artifacts- and to learn more about the open cut of the Mine. Did you know that the white lines of rock is actually to youngest, that the red/purply rock is where the gold is, and the black rock is the oldest and called the poor man's claim, because if you were trying to mine that you would eventually be poor? Also, the town of Lead, was originally on top of where the open cut is now- and they had to relocate it a couple of times to where it is now so that they could mine the gold.
Here are a couple students views of our field trip:
- One thing I learned was is that the scientice are bringing air up from underground my
favorite part was the visitor center
- I learned that where the visitor center was that big hole outside use to be the only
part of deadwood. My favorite part of SURF was looking in the visitor center and
looking at the cool things that there were and learning more about SURF.
- I learned that the mine is very deep and they don't use all the floors anymore. My
favorite part was the tour and getting to see where they control the ropes.
- One thing I learned at Surf on Thursday that was interesting was that some of the
coworkers that go underground have to wear a flashlight or a headlamp for light and
if something is wrong they have different signals if something is wrong or if they
need help. I think my favorite part about Surf was all of it because I liked going
downstairs, Building the Cage, and being able to do all of that with my friends,
teachers, and Chad and Ashley they are both really cool people.
- One thing that I thought was interesting was the wires on the cage never touch. My
favorite part would either be the cages or the big hole in the middle of lead. I build
things like the cages of legos realy often. I love to build elevators and stuff like that.
Six Custer Elementary students have earned a place in the South Dakota Music Education's Elementary Honor Choir. They'll perform on November 2, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
This special event features a diverse lineup of songs, including Ombra Mai Fu, Laudate Dominum, Aiken Drum, Be The Change, It Don’t Mean A Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing and J’ENTENDS Le Moulin. The students, selected through recorded auditions, are sure to impress.
Tickets are only $5.00, and kids aged 18 and under can attend for free.
The choir will be directed by Sandy Knudson who holds an M.M.E. and Kodaly certification from The University of Oklahoma. If you are in the Sioux Falls area, please join us, to celebrate these young talents and the power of music.
Pictured from left to right: Dilann Dennis, Wes Bolen, Amelia Wiederholt, Gloria Keller,
Brooklynn Clevenger, Sophia Munoz
- November 2(Saturday) @ 3:30pm - Elementary Honor Choir - Sioux Falls
- November 11(Monday) @ 2pm - Veteran's Day Program - Armory
- December 5(Thursday) @ 7pm - 2nd & 4th Grade Concert - CHS Theater
- December 12(Thursday) @ 7pm - 1st & 3rd Grade Concert - CHS Theater
- February 3(Monday) @ 7pm - Elders' Wisdom, Children's Song - CHS Theater
- February 17-22(Monday-Saturday) - Dakota Players Residency, K-8th Grades - CHS Theater
- March 3(Monday) @ 3:30pm - Elementary Festival Choir - Sturgis
- April 28(Monday) @ 7pm - 5th & 6th Grade Band & Choir Concert - CHS Theater
- May 15(Thursday) @ 7pm - Kindergarten Program - CHS Theater
CUSTER SCHOOL DISTRICT Mission and Vision Statement
MISSION STATEMENT: To Educate Every Student to His or Her Potential
VISION STATEMENT: To provide the highest educational program possible through positive leadership, quality academics, and an array of opportunities for social, emotional, physical, and character development, so graduates:
- A) Go on to compete in the marketplace
B) Understand the importance of community involvement.
C) Enjoy life-long learning
To provide the highest educational program possible so the district can compete successfully in the educational marketplace.
Custer Elementary School
Email: barb.paulson@k12.sd.us
Website: https://ces.csd.k12.sd.us/o/ces
Location: 1415 Wildcat Lane, Custer, SD, 57730
Phone: (605) 673-4483
Twitter: @Custer_Elemen