National Medal of Science facts for kids

Quick facts for kids National Medal of Science
Obverse of the medal
Presented by	President of the United States
Location	Washington, D.C.
Country	United States
First awarded	1963

The National Medal of Science is a very important award given by the President of the United States. It honors people in science and engineering who have made amazing discoveries. These discoveries help us understand more about the world in fields like biology (the study of living things), chemistry (the study of what things are made of), physics (the study of energy and matter), mathematics, engineering (designing and building things), and even how people think and act (called behavioral and social sciences). A special group of twelve experts, chosen by the President, decides who gets this medal. The National Science Foundation (NSF) helps manage this process.

History of the Science Medal

The National Medal of Science was created on August 25, 1959. This happened when the Congress of the United States passed a law. At first, the medal was only for scientists in physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering fields.

A special group called the Committee on the National Medal of Science was formed on August 23, 1961. This was done by President John F. Kennedy through an official order.

Expanding the Award Fields

Later, on January 7, 1979, a science group suggested adding social and behavioral sciences. These fields study how people behave and interact. In response, Senator Ted Kennedy helped pass a new law.

This law, signed by President Jimmy Carter on December 12, 1980, officially added these new science areas. This made the medal more inclusive.

Presentation of the National Medal of Science to Theodore von Kármán by President Kennedy.

In 1992, the National Science Foundation made an agreement. This agreement connected the National Medal of Science with a similar award, the National Medal of Technology.

First Recipients and Ceremonies

The very first National Medal of Science was given out on February 18, 1963. President John F. Kennedy presented it to Theodore von Kármán. He received it for his important work in aeronautics (the science of flight) at the Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The first woman to receive this medal was Barbara McClintock in 1970. She was honored for her groundbreaking work on plant genetics.

The award ceremony usually happens at the White House. The sitting United States president leads the event.

How Many Medals Are Given?

The law allows for up to 20 medals each year. However, usually about 8 to 15 scientists and engineers receive this honor. There have been some years when no medals were given out at all.

For example, no medals were awarded in 1971, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1984, and 1985. President Donald J. Trump did not give out any of these medals during his time in office.

The last time medals were awarded before his presidency was in 2016. President Barack Obama presented the 2013 and 2014 medals then. More recently, on October 23, 2023, President Joe Biden presented nine Medals of Science.

How the Award Process Works

Medal (reverse)

Each year, the National Science Foundation asks scientists to suggest new candidates. People are nominated by their fellow scientists. Each nomination needs three letters of support from other experts.

These nominations then go to the Committee of the National Medal of Science. This committee has fourteen members chosen by the President. Twelve are scientists, and two are special members. These special members are the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the president of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

Who Can Receive the Medal?

To receive the medal, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are applying for citizenship. They must have done truly outstanding work. Their work should have had a major impact on scientific thinking in their field.

The Committee also values people who help science grow in general. They also look for those who have influenced science education. However, groundbreaking research is the most important factor. A nomination stays active for three years. After that, peers can nominate the person again. The Committee then recommends candidates to the President, who makes the final decision.

Notable Medal Recipients

2023 award ceremony

Since Theodore von Kármán received the first medal in 1962, a total of 506 medals have been awarded. Some universities have had many of their professors receive this honor.

Five universities account for over 31% of all the medals given. Stanford University has the most, with 40 recipients. Harvard University is next with 35. Then comes the University of California, Berkeley with 30, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with 29, and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) with 25.

See also

In Spanish: Medalla Nacional de Ciencia (Estados Unidos) para niños

• List of general science and technology awards
• National Medal of Technology and Innovation
• National Medal of Arts
• National Humanities Medal