Image courtesy of SACNAS.

Thousands of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists will gather at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center for the largest multicultural and multidisciplinary diversity in STEM event in the U.S. on October 13-15, according to a release.

Hosted by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), almost 4,000 students, science professionals of color and their allies will attend the three-day event, touted as “a training ground for the next generation of diverse STEM professionals.”

“To maintain a globally competitive STEM workforce, we need to achieve true diversity in STEM,” said SACNAS Executive Director Dr. Antonia O. Franco in a statement. “The sheer number of attendees proves that not only does STEM diversity matter, it is possible.”

{loadposition adfloat}

During the convention, SACNAS aims to offer first generation college students of color cutting-edge science, mentoring, networking, and professional development they need to strengthen their networks, and develop the tools that many already have, according to the release.

For more information, visit the Facebook page here.