SDSU Days to Take Over Washington Pavilion’s Dakota Avenue with Lunar Tech and Giant Catapult

Sioux Falls, SD (09/29/2025) — South Dakota State University will pair its futuristic National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) lunar-travel inventions with a historically designed catapult when it closes Dakota Avenue on the Washington Pavilion’s west side for the second annual SDSU Days, Oct. 3–4 in Sioux Falls.

The showcase celebrates the university’s science, arts and hands-on discovery with special focus on several engineering projects designed and built by students in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.

  • Friday, Oct. 3: Daytime activities are reserved for middle school and ninth-grade field trips, but the public is invited from 5–8 p.m. during the Pavilion’s Free First Friday event.
  • Saturday, Oct. 4: Doors open to everyone 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All Washington Pavilion museum spaces will be free to visitors, thanks to sponsorship from the Sioux Empire Staters, a Sioux Falls–based SDSU alumni organization.

“Last year’s debut event drew more than 750 people,” says Madelyn Grogan, Director of Education and Museums at the Washington Pavilion. “This year we’re welcoming even more schools on Friday and adding new experiences from SDSU’s arts programs.”

Highlights include:

  • Launching power: SDSU’s Associate Professor of History Graham Wrightson will launch
    T-shirts with a trebuchet and display ancient weapons artifacts, proving that art and science share a love of engineering.
  • Engineering on Wheels: SDSU’s award-winning NASA competition team will showcase their nationally recognized designs for sustaining life on the moon. Numerous engineering projects and activities such as drones, lunar mining vehicles, robots, a concrete canoe, math puzzles, quarter-scale tractor and others will be demonstrated live on the street. Engineering students will be on hand to showcase and explain their projects.
  • Prairie Repertory Theatre exhibition: SDSU’s University Gallery will reveal behind-the-scenes secrets of stage production, with School of Performing Arts faculty on hand to interact with guests.
  • Interactive college stations: From virtual-reality globe exploration and levitation demos to health-skills challenges and “respiratory care-oke,” SDSU faculty and students will offer dozens of activities. Participating groups include the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, the College of Nursing, the College of Natural Sciences, and the School of Performing Arts, along with programs from the Department of Natural Resource Management, the Department of Dairy and Food Science, SDSU Admissions and the SDSU Student Connections and Engagement team.

“This great event helps future Jackrabbits explore their passions and lets alumni reconnect with the university’s people, programs and research,” says Vernon Brown, SDSU Associate Vice President for External Relations.

For more information, visit https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/sdsu-day.

About Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. (WPMI) Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest arts organization in the state. The management company oversees and programs two historic City of Sioux Falls facilities: the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science and the Orpheum Theater Center. The company also provides professional management services, including administration; arts, science and educational programming; ticketing; event management; marketing; and more to other arts and nonprofit organizations. For information, please visit WashingtonPavilion.org.

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