Mensa facts for kids

Mensa is a Latin word that means "table." It is used in several different ways, from a group for very smart people to a part of a star map.

Mensa International: A Club for High IQs

The most famous meaning of Mensa is Mensa International. This is a special club for people who have a very high IQ. An IQ test measures how smart someone is. To join Mensa, you need to score in the top 2% of the world on an approved IQ test.

What Mensa International Does

Mensa International was started in 1946 in England by Roland Berrill and Lancelot Ware. They wanted to create a group where smart people could meet and share ideas. Mensa is a non-political and non-religious group. Its main goals are:

• To find and encourage human intelligence.
• To help people learn more about intelligence.
• To provide a friendly place for its members to meet.

Mensa has members of all ages, from young children to older adults. They often hold meetings, discussions, and social events.

Other Meanings of Mensa

The word "Mensa" is also used in other areas:

Mensa (Constellation)

Mensa (constellation) is a small, faint group of stars in the southern sky. It is named after Table Mountain in South Africa. This constellation looks like a table and can only be seen from the Southern Hemisphere.

Mensa (Geology)

In geology, a "mensa" is a term used to describe a flat-topped hill or mountain found on other planets, like Mars. It is similar to a mesa on Earth, which is a flat-topped landform with steep sides. Geologists use this word to describe these features in space.

Mensa Records

Mensa Records is a record label. A record label is a company that produces and sells music. Mensa Records has released music by different artists.

Mensa as "Cafeteria"

In some languages, like German and Dutch, the word "mensa" means "cafeteria." A cafeteria is a place where you can buy and eat meals, often found in schools or universities. So, if you hear someone in Germany say "mensa," they might be talking about where they eat lunch!

Mensa as an Altar Part

In religious settings, "mensa" can refer to the flat top part of an altar. An altar is a special table used in churches or temples for religious ceremonies.

Plural Form

When there is more than one "mensa," the plural form is often Mensae. For example, on Mars, there are areas called Cydonia Mensae, which are groups of flat-topped hills.