SD Science Teacher Recognition

Lisa Bahe (pictured) is among many celebrated science teachers in South Dakota who inspire students into careers in STEM and thereby empower the next generation of scientific discovery and innovation at places like SURF. Picture: Stephen Kenny. Article: SURF

The South Dakota Science Teaching Association recognized four South Dakota teachers for their outstanding efforts to provide extraordinary opportunities and support for student success in science.  

Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) is proud to have supported these teachers, as well as many other excellent SD educators, through free programming that puts relevant and engaging resources at the fingertips of teachers. SURF’s Education and Outreach Department offers training for about 400 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teachers across the state each year. SURF also provides, field trips, classroom presentations, engineering design challenges, and STEM curriculum units to classrooms. These efforts reach upwards of 16-20,000 South Dakota students with hands-on and interactive STEM learning opportunities each year. 

Amanda Hillestad from Westside Elementary School in Sisseton, SD has been named The SD Science Teaching Association’s 2025 Outstanding Elementary STEM Teacher. The award is sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Math and Science Education (CAMSE) at Black Hills State University.

Jena Campbell from Viborg-Hurley Middle School has been named SD Science Teaching Association’s 2025 Outstanding Earth and Space Science Teacher. This award is sponsored by the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium.

Lisa Bahe from Mickelson Middle School in Brookings has been named SD Science Teaching Association’s 2025 Outstanding Biology Teacher for the state of South Dakota. This award is sponsored by Sanford Promise, the outreach arm of Sanford Research, a division of Sanford Health. See a video of Lisa’s experience here.

Nicole Mehlhaff from Yankton Middle School has been named SD Science Teaching Association’s 2025 Outstanding Physical Science Teacher for the state of South Dakota. This award is sponsored by Neiman Enterprises in Spearfish, South Dakota.

The Outstanding Science Teacher awards highlight some of the best teachers and programs in our state and this year’s award winners were selected from over thirty nominated candidates.  Each award comes with a $1,000 prize and the winners will be recognized at the 2025 SD STEM conference in Huron in February 6-8.

The SD Science Teaching Association congratulates all our recipients on their awards and thanks them for their excellence in the field!

The South Dakota Science Teaching Association is an organization created by teachers, for teachers. The purpose of the South Dakota Science Teaching Association is the advancement, stimulation, extension, improvement, and coordination of science education in all fields of science at all educational levels.