NASA Selects Saint Francis University to Help Broaden STEM Participation

Loretto, PA (03/10/2022) — Saint Francis University has been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to receive a $24,987 Community Anchor Award. This designation as a community anchor recognizes the University as a local community resource.

NASA selected a total of 21 organizations nationwide to receive funding as part of this program. The community anchor designation recognizes these recipients as local community resources that will bring space exploration to traditionally underserved areas and help broaden student participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Saint Francis University, faculty members Dr. Lanika Ruzhitskaya, Dr. Timothy Miller, Dr. Qin He, and Dr. Guochang Wang, along with current Saint Francis University students, will be involved in completing the project entitled, "Space Sciences and Engineering Mobile Interactive Exhibit for Rural Areas: Earth to Moon."

Utilizing the University's 3D printers, the team will produce 3D-fabricated models of the lunar surface, educational videos, and presentations dedicated to science and forthcoming developmental engineering projects on the Moon.

This exhibit will expose young children and their families to space sciences and engineering through live interaction with the exhibit's educational content and SFU faculty and students. During the program's first year, the "Earth to Moon" exhibit will be housed by local public libraries serving Bedford, Blair, and Cambria counties.