Precollege Education at SACNAS
The goal of the Precollege Teacher Program at SACNAS is to ensure that elementary, middle, and high school teachers—working with students from traditionally underrepresented minority backgrounds—receive the professional development and participation in a community of professional scientists necessary to support excellence in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology teaching careers.


SACNAS Biography Project
Highlighting the life stories and professional contributions of Native American, Chicano, and Latino scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, the SACNAS Biography Project was created for use in the precollege (K-12) classroom. “The purpose of the biographies is for the students to see themselves reflected in the lives that are presented here.” – Dr. William Yslas Vélez, Biography Project Principal Investigator.


SACNAS Precollege Teacher Workshops
In 1986, SACNAS began offering teacher-training sessions in conjunction with the society’s annual national conference. Since that time, the SACNAS Precollege (K-12) Teacher Workshops have grown into a national effort to support superior precollege education in the sciences for Native American/Alaska Native, Chicano/Latino, African American, and Pacific Island students.

The society recognizes the essential role that educators play in developing student interest and achievement in the sciences. Because of this, SACNAS focuses its Precollege Teacher Workshops on supporting teacher professional development—especially in content knowledge and inquiry-based methodology, as well as encouragement for teachers in their pursuit of advanced degrees.

The workshops take place as a concurrent event to the annual SACNAS National Conference offering teachers the unique opportunity to meet nationally renowned scientists (and scientists-to-be) from across the country who share their commitment to the education of underrepresented minority students.


SACNAS Distinguished Educator Award
In order to honor those dedicated individuals who educate and inspire the next generation of minority scientists, SACNAS presents the Distinguished K-12 Educator Award annually to a pre-college teacher. Award recipients receive complimentary travel and lodging to the annual SACNAS conference and are presented with recognition of their award at the Awards Ceremony.


Online Education Materials
SACNAS has compiled a large number of resource links (on our Biography Project website) to websites of interest to educators and students. Selections include science and math resources online; sites for minority and female students interested in math, science and technology; professional development opportunities; and travel scholarship information.


Membership
SACNAS is an inclusive membership organization of professional faculty and researchers, K-12 educators and students. Year-round membership services include discounts on SACNAS conference registration, mailings on special opportunities, eligibility for SACNAS conference scholarships and a bi-weekly email newsletter that provides resources, opportunities and information.

Additionally, the National Science Foundation Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Agilent Technologies , through partnership and direct financial support all contribute to the success and growth of the SACNAS Precollege Program.

For more information or to contact the SACNAS Precollege Teacher Program:
info@sacnas.org