"In those years, as minority group members pursuing careers in the sciences, engineering and mathematics, we were acutely conscious of just how few we were. Women, of course, represented a still smaller fraction: a minority of a minority. The smallness of our numbers was in some respects a major challenge," Jackson said in her remarks.

Jackson said she believes that the lack of minorities in the sciences can partially be attributed to a propensity by minorities to go into fields of obvious relevance to their communities.

Jackson recounted how she, as a young student, had been challenged to explain how a career in theoretical physics would benefit her people. Jackson maintained, however, that such careers are of real value to the communities of those who pursue them.

"There are many ways to make an impact. Sooner or later, the message of a person's achievement will get through to his community, and it will be a source of pride to the elders, and of hope and opportunity to the young," Jackson said.

In addition to the Pforzheimer House reception and panel discussion, yesterday's conference schedule included research presentations by current undergraduate and graduate science students and a student social following the panel discussion.

The conference will continue today and include faculty research presentations and workshops for science students. The conference will conclude this afternoon with a panel on the future of Asian-American, Hispanic-American and Native American students in science, math and engineering.

According to Dr. S. Allen Counter, Director of the Foundation, the conference is larger this year than it ever has been in the past, with students attending from area high schools and other New England universities.

This year, the conference also includes a new program dubbed "Partners in Science." According to Counter, this mentoring program is aimed at pairing minority high school students with Harvard science concentrators who are also minorities