Bien Hecho: SACNAS, Helping Latinos Achieve In Science
In 1975 less than 1% of doctoral degrees in science were awarded to Latinos and Native Americans combined in the U.S. Today that number has crept up to around 7%, and the organization SACNAS, Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, has made a mission out of increasing the number of minorities in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).
SACNAS was founded in 1973 by a group of minority scientists who, according to the organization’s history met at a conference in New Mexico and:
After attending a networking event, they all got into the elevator together. One looked around and joked, “If this elevator crashes, it will wipe out the entire population of Chicano and Native American scientists!”
Since then, SACNAS has grown and currently serves over 25,000 students and professionals each year, through networking, funding, and hosting conferences that attract budding and established scientists. Although the organization strives to increase the number of all minorities in the STEM fields, its work remains focused on Latinos and Native Americans, making it unique.
Last weekend, SACNAS hosted a minorities in science conference that, aside from workshops and presentations, included a pow-wow and speeches from John Bennett Herrington, the first American-Indian astronaut and SACNAS founder and mathemetician Richard Tapia.
Spread the word! Our weekly Bien Hecho segment, highlights the good deeds and achievements of Latinos across the U.S. If you feel that someone you know is deserving of recognition, let us know at tips@newstaco.com. Thanks to Charles for the tip!
[Photo By sacnas.org]References:
