Mexican Academy of Sciences facts for kids

Academia Mexicana de Ciencias
Details
Foundation	12 August 1959
Location	Mexico City, Mexico
Members	2708 (2017)
President	Dr. José Luis Morán López
Address Casa Central	Casa Tlalpan Ciudad de México, México
Web page	http://www.amc.mx

The Mexican Academy of Sciences (Academia Mexicana de Ciencias) is a special group of smart people. It's a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't try to make money. Instead, it focuses on science!

This Academy includes over 1,800 top scientists from Mexico. Many of them work at different places across the country. It also has famous scientists from other countries, including some Nobel Prize winners.

The Academy believes that learning through science is the best way for Mexico to grow and become stronger. It's a place where scientists can share ideas and discuss new discoveries. The Academy works hard to spread scientific knowledge. It also helps improve education and makes science more important in Mexico.

What the Academy Does

The Mexican Academy of Sciences has important goals. It wants to:

• Stay independent and speak for scientists.
• Make sure science research is good, professional, and honest.
• Help the scientific community in Mexico grow.
• Make sure scientific knowledge helps people and society.

Main Goals

The Academy works to:

• Bring together the best researchers in Mexico.
• Help people know about their amazing work.
• Support scientific research and learning in Mexico.
• Make sure Mexican scientists are recognized around the world.
• Encourage sharing ideas with scientists in other countries.

Who Runs the Academy?

The Academy is managed by a special group called the Directive Council. This group makes sure everything runs smoothly. It includes a president, a vice-president, two secretaries, and a treasurer. They usually serve for two years. The vice-president often becomes the next president.

Who Are the Members?

The Academy has many members, mostly researchers working in Mexico. They are grouped into ten different science areas. These include:

• Farming sciences
• Astronomy (study of space)
• Biology (study of living things)
• Social sciences and humanities (study of people and culture)
• Physics (study of energy and matter)
• Geosciences (study of Earth)
• Engineering (designing and building things)
• Mathematics (numbers and patterns)
• Medicine (health and healing)
• Chemistry (study of substances)

Each area has a leader who helps connect members with the main council.

The Academy also has members from other countries. These are active researchers who have helped science in Mexico. There are 58 such members, including nine Nobel Prize winners!

The Academy has also grown across Mexico. It has regional groups in different parts of the country. This helps scientists in various states connect and work together. For example, there are groups in Central Mexico, the Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast.

Many members of the Academy (about 85%) are part of the National System of Researchers (NSR). This means they are recognized as top researchers in Mexico.

Past Presidents

Awards and Recognition

The Academy gives out several awards to celebrate great scientific work.

• AMC Research Awards

These awards started in 1961. They are the highest honor from the Academy. They are given to young researchers (under 40) doing amazing new science. These awards cover exact sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and engineering. Since 1961, 159 scientists have received these awards.

• Weizmann and Weizmann-Kahn Awards

Since 1986, the Academy has given Weizmann Awards. These are for the best doctoral theses (big research projects for a PhD degree) in Mexico. They are for researchers under 35 in exact and natural sciences. Since 2001, the Weizmann-Kahn Award has been given for the best theses in engineering.

• Social Sciences and Humanities Award

This award started in 1996. It's for the best doctoral theses in social sciences done in Mexico. It's for researchers under 40.

Programs for Young People and Science Lovers

The Academy has many programs to get young people excited about science. It also helps train new researchers and shares science with everyone.

• Science at Your School

This program started in 2002. It aims to make math and science teaching better. It uses fun, hands-on methods instead of just textbooks. This helps kids and teens get more interested in science. They do simple experiments and learn in a more active way. The program also trains teachers and creates special learning materials.

• Computers for Children and Youth

Since 1987, this program has taught kids how to use computers. Workshops are held in public libraries across Mexico. In 2004, over 37,000 children attended these workshops. There are also workshops for high school students to improve their math skills using special computer programs.

• Scientific Research Summer

Started in 1990, this program is like a summer camp for university students. It lets them live for a short time (June-August) at top research centers. This helps them see if they want a career in science. In 2004, 690 students got grants to join this program.

• Scientific Research Week

This program plans many talks about science for university and high school students. These talks happen all over the country. In recent years, over 670 speakers have shared their knowledge.

• Nobel Conferences

Since 1995, this program brings Nobel Prize winners to Mexico. They meet with Mexican researchers and students. So far, eleven Nobel Prize winners have visited the Academy.

• Visits from Distinguished Professors

This program started in 1996. It brings famous researchers from the United States to Mexico. They give talks, teach short courses, and work with Mexican scientists. About fifteen professors visit Mexico each year.

Sharing Science with Everyone

The Academy has special programs to make science interesting for all Mexicans, especially kids and teens.

• Science on Sundays

This program started in 1982. It offers free talks about science for everyone. Famous scientists give these talks, usually on weekends. In 2004, the program celebrated 22 years. Over 5,300 talks have been given at many places across Mexico.

• Science Olympiads

Since 1991, the Academy has organized national competitions in science. These are for students before university. They include math, physics, chemistry, and biology. Winners go on to represent Mexico in international competitions.

The Academy also organizes other fun competitions:

• The National Chemistry Olympiad
• The National Biology Olympiad
• Spring Mathematics Competitions (for ages 13-15)
• Funny Mathematics Competition (for under 12s)
• The Mexican Geography Olympiad

National Chemistry Olympiad

About 8,000 students take part in this competition every year. Mexican students have won many medals in national and international chemistry competitions.

National Biology Olympiad

Since 1999, the Academy has joined the International Biology Olympiad. Mexican students have won several bronze and silver medals. About 7,000 students participate each year.

Spring Mathematics Competition

This competition started in 1996. It has two levels: one for kids under 13 and another for teens under 15. Winners can go on to international math competitions. Many gold, silver, and bronze medals have been won by Mexican students. In 2004, over 200,000 students participated!

Funny Mathematics Competition

This competition started in 1998. It's for children under 12. Winners can go to international competitions, like one held in Hong Kong. In 2004, over 81,000 children took part.

Mexican Geography Olympiad

The first Mexican Geography Olympiad was in 2003. It's for students under 17, mostly in middle school. Over 100,000 students participate each year. Winners represent Mexico at the World Geography Championship.

Special Committees

The Academy has special groups that study important national issues. These groups use the knowledge of scientists to look at problems. They compare Mexico's situation with other countries. They also give advice to the government to help with important decisions. So far, committees have studied Water, Biotechnology, and Stem Cells.

How the Academy Shares Information

The Academy has a special team that shares news about its activities. They use press conferences, newspapers, and radio.

• News Web Site

The Academy's website shares information about its activities. It also has useful science and technology news for Mexican media.

• Ciencia Journal

Ciencia is a science magazine that started over 50 years ago. It comes out four times a year. It's for scientists, universities, and anyone who wants to know about new science.

• Publications

The Academy has published over 50 books and reports. These cover many different science topics.

Working with Other Groups in Mexico

The Academy works closely with many government groups. It helps discuss and organize big national science events. It also advises the Mexican Congress on science and technology. Other important groups it works with include:

• National Council of Science and Technology
• Ministry of Public Education
• National Autonomous University of Mexico
• National Polytechnic Institute

Working with International Groups

The Academy also works with science groups around the world. This helps Mexican scientists connect with others and get support for their research. Some of the international groups it works with are:

• National Academy of Sciences, US
• InterAcademy Panel on International Issues
• Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS)
• Royal Society of London
• French Academy of Sciences
• Royal Society of Canada

Support for the Academy

Since it started, the Mexican Academy of Sciences has received help from many public and private groups. This support has allowed the Academy to create and run many programs. It helps with important scientific work in Mexico. Key supporters include the National Council of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Public Education.

See also

• In Spanish: Academia Mexicana de Ciencias para niños
• CONACYT

Extra links

• http://www.amc.mx