Mural in the science center

School of STEAM

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics

Why embrace STEAM at SFU?

Wherever your interests lie, we believe in helping every student develop a mind for exploration.

 

Graduates of Saint Francis University's School of STEAM address challenges and seize opportunities. They are compassionate, responsible, motivated, and confident citizens who:

 

  • Think critically and creatively

  • Respect life

  • Cherish continued learning

  • Promote moral, spiritual, and social development

  • Practice appropriate personal and professional ethical behavior

  • Communicate clearly in writing and speaking

  • Work effectively in teams

  • Leverage technology responsibly

  • Recognize their responsibilities to family, community, country, and world

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transformational experiences inside and outside of the classroom

 

belltower illustration

acquire unparalleled depth and breadth of knowledge, skills, and values

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liberal arts education grounded in Franciscan values

 

Why Saint Francis?

Tackle your future with confidence.

Our integrative approach results in accomplished professionals who consider the complex dimensions of our society - aesthetics, culture, economics, the environment, history, mathematics, morality, politics, science, society, and technology.

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Guiding Principles within STEAM:

  • undergraduate research, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities
  • real-world projects fieldwork, service projects, community engagement activities
  • leadership and mentorship experiences, membership in professional societies, presenting at professional conferences
  • Interdisciplinary learning, projects, and activities
close up image of iron gates into gardens

A personalized approach to learning and leading

Our faculty members have been highly successful in receiving external funding for the enhancement of undergraduate STEAM education, both in the classroom and in the laboratory.

 

 

Dr. Peter Skoner
Dean, School of STEAM

Email: pskoner@francis.edu

P: 814.472.3085

 

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STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities for growth. Support for your passion.

 
Our School of STEAM gives students the opportunity to conduct research as early as soon as their freshman year. Our students practice their new skills through outreach activities such as Science Day, Multicultural Week, Darwin Day,  Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (R.O.C.K.),  PA Statistics Poster Competition, Pi Day, and many more. Many students also take part in study abroad programs and immersive learning experiences.

 

Mural in the science center

STEAM by the Numbers


407,120 dollars in external grants secured for the 2020-2021 academic year by STEAM faculty and staff
5,627 friends in the community engaged in 193 STEAM activities during the 2020-2021 academic year
353 students enrolled in STEAM programs during the Fall 2021 semester
 
54 faculty in STEAM to challenge, support, and mentor students
21 students completed STEAM undergraduate research in the summer of 2021, while being paid minimum wage, with free housing and meal plan funded by the university and school
17 students on average in each STEAM class, to ensure students are engaged and involved, able to ask and answer questions
7 students for each faculty member (student to faculty ratio), ensuring students get individual attention
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THE GROUP SIZE YOU WILL BE TREATED LIKE FOR MENTORING AND SUCCESS?

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An Ancient stone wall hosting a hooded and pious Saint Francis gazing towards heaven. Sparsely garnished conifers glow green in the sunlight.

Several academic programs within the School of STEAM at Saint Francis University are accredited by their respective specialized accrediting agencies.
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Blog

Printing with a Purpose

University Communications & Marketing | 01/23/2024
An empty plastic Powerade bottle kicked off an unexpected journey for three Saint Francis University Biology/Pre-Medicine majors. Their quest for free filament to use in their personal 3-D printers has blossomed into something truly extraordinary.

Tapestries 2023 Winners

01/22/2024
The 2023 digital edition of Tapestries, the literary and visual arts magazine of Saint Francis University is available.

30th Annual STEAM Day in the Books

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 11/21/2023
The university hosted its 30th Annual STEAM Day attended by 33 local high schools, 51 high school teachers, and record attendance of 481 high school students.

13th Annual Student Research Day Held

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 11/09/2023
Students from a wide spectrum of majors showcased current projects at the Thirteenth Annual Saint Francis University Student Research Day on November 9, 2023. This annual event celebrates student research projects conducted on campus and allows the University community to become familiar with the unique and interesting work SFU students do.

English Department Presents at 2023 Rachel Carson Conference

University Communications & Marketing | 11/01/2023
On October 21, 2023, four English faculty—Drs. Lisa Beiswenger, Timothy Bintrim, Brennan Thomas, and John Woznak—and five English majors—Avery Beunier-Lucas, Colette Costlow, MJ Dugery, Michael Hickey, and Erin Pyle—presented scholarly research on literary, environmental, and media studies at the 2023 Rachel Carson Conference, hosted by Chatham University.

SFU one of 50 emerging research institutions to receive NSF funding

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 10/10/2023
The U.S. National Science Foundation announced a $399,727 award to Saint Francis University as part of its first-ever Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) grant program. The agency is investing $19.6 million to help nearly 50 emerging research institutions grow their capacity to participate in and drive regional innovation.

First Iraq War Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress visits SFU campus

University Communications & Marketing | 10/06/2023
SFU hosted the Honorable Patrick J. Murphy on a visit to campus. Murphy served as the first Iraq War Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress and he shared his expertise on national security as well as his experiences with leadership and service with students in the Cybersecurity major and ROTC cadets