National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine facts for kids
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The Keck Center of the National Academies in Washington, D.C.
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| Abbreviation | NASEM |
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| Predecessor | Council of National Defense – Department of Science and Research United States Army Signal Corps – Science and Research Division |
| Formation | 1863 (as National Academy of Sciences) 1916 (as National Research Council) 2015 (as National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) |
| Founder | Federal Government of the United States |
| Type | National Academy |
| Legal status | Congressionally Chartered Nonprofit Organization |
| Purpose | Provide independent, objective advice to inform policy with evidence, spark progress and innovation, and confront challenging issues for the benefit of society. |
| Headquarters | Keck Center 500 5th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 |
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Membership
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Scientists, engineers, and health professionals |
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Official language
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English |
| Marcia McNutt | |
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President (NAE)
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John L. Anderson |
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President (NAM)
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Victor Dzau |
| Subsidiaries | National Academy of Sciences (NAS) National Academy of Engineering (NAE) National Academy of Medicine (NAM) |
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is a special group of experts in the United States. It's like the country's main science academy. This organization gives independent, expert advice to the government and the public. They help solve big problems using facts and research.
NASEM is made up of three main groups: the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). These groups honor top scientists, engineers, and health professionals. NASEM also has a part that does studies and writes reports. This part used to be called the National Research Council (NRC). These reports share what scientists generally agree on about important topics.
Contents
- How the National Academies Started
- The Three Academies
- How NASEM Does Its Work
- How Studies Are Done
- Other Programs
- Funding for NASEM
How the National Academies Started
The National Academy of Sciences was created a long time ago, on March 3, 1863. Abraham Lincoln, who was the President then, signed the law that made it official. The law said that the Academy should "investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art" whenever the government asked.
Even though the American Civil War was happening, the new Academy helped with important issues. They looked into things like money, weights and measures, and even the quality of whiskey!
Later, two more academies were added under the same law. The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) was created in 1964. The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) started in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine and changed its name in 2015.
Helping During World War I
In 1916, during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson asked the National Academy of Sciences to create the National Research Council (NRC). The goal was to use science to help American industries grow and to make the country's defense stronger.
One important task was to find enough nitric acid. This acid was needed to make explosives and other important products for the war. The NRC suggested importing a special salt from Chile and building new factories. These ideas were accepted and helped the war effort.
The NRC also helped with military problems. They organized meetings to find ways to detect submarines. Their research led to new ways of finding submarines using sound. Because of their success in helping the military, the NRC continued its work even after the war ended.
The Three Academies
The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine are groups that honor top experts. Each academy has its own leaders and chooses new members every year.
There are over 6,300 scientists, engineers, and health professionals who are members of these three academies. New members are chosen by existing members based on their amazing achievements in research. These experts volunteer their time to advise the nation on science, engineering, and medicine.
How NASEM Does Its Work
The main part of NASEM that gives advice is made up of several divisions. These divisions used to be known as the National Research Council. They work together to provide clear and unbiased advice.
These groups write reports that help shape government rules, inform the public, and push forward new ideas in science, engineering, and medicine.
There are seven main divisions that cover different areas:
- Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education
- Division of Earth and Life Studies
- Division of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Health and Medicine Division
- Policy and Global Affairs Division
- Transportation Research Board
- Gulf Research Program
Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE)
This division studies how people think, learn, and behave. It also looks at education.
What DBASSE Focuses On
- Children, Youth, and Families
- Behavior, Thinking, and Senses
- How Humans and Systems Work Together
- Environmental Change and Society
- Science Education
- Law and Justice
- Testing and Assessment
- Population Studies
- National Statistics
Division on Earth and Life Studies (DELS)
This division focuses on our planet and all living things.
What DELS Focuses On
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Atmospheric Sciences and Climate
- Chemical Sciences and Technology
- Earth Sciences and Resources
- Environmental Studies and Toxicology
- Life Sciences
- Laboratory Animal Research
- Nuclear and Radiation Studies
- Ocean Studies
- Polar Research
- Water Science and Technology
Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS)
This division deals with engineering and the physical sciences, like physics and math.
What DEPS Focuses On
- Government missions in defense, space, and aerospace.
- National infrastructure challenges like energy and environmental systems.
- Information and telecommunications.
- Manufacturing and engineering design.
- Civil engineering and the built environment.
- Science and engineering fields like physics, astronomy, computer science, and math.
- Checking on federal government laboratories and research programs.
Health and Medicine Division (HMD)
This division focuses on health and medical issues.
What HMD Focuses On
- Children, Youth, and Families
- Global Health
- Health Care Services
- Health Sciences Policy
- Population Health and Public Health Practice
- Food and Nutrition
Policy and Global Affairs Division (PGA)
This division looks at how science and technology affect government rules and global issues.
What PGA Focuses On
- Higher Education and Workforce
- International Scientific Organizations
- Research Data and Information
- Science, Technology, and Economic Policy
- Human Rights
- International Security and Arms Control
- Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Public Policy
- Science, Technology, and Law
- Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine
- Fellowships for Students
- Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable
- Resilient America Program
- Science and Technology for Sustainability
Transportation Research Board (TRB)
This division focuses on all kinds of transportation.
What TRB Focuses On
- Consensus and Advisory Studies
- Cooperative Research Programs, including:
- Airport Research
- Highway Research
- Traffic Safety Research
- Freight Research
- Rail Research
- Hazardous Materials Research
How Studies Are Done
NASEM tries to find clear, fair, and scientific answers to big national questions. They ask top scientists, engineers, health professionals, and other experts to help. These experts volunteer their time and don't get paid.
NASEM doesn't do its own original research. Instead, it gives independent advice based on existing knowledge. The US government agencies usually pay for NASEM's work. Other groups like foundations also provide funding. The people who pay for the studies have no say in the results.
Study committees gather information from many sources. They hold public meetings to collect facts. But they discuss their findings in private. This helps them avoid political or special interest influences.
All reports are carefully checked by other experts before they are published. This ensures they are accurate and fair.
NASEM produces about 200 reports every year. These reports cover many important topics. For example, they have looked at the obesity epidemic, using science in court, invasive plants, vaccine safety, climate change, and transportation safety. Many reports help guide new government rules or start new research programs.
The National Academies Press publishes all these reports. You can read many of them for free online. Since 2011, you can even download the full books for free!
Important Reports
Climate Change Research
In 2001, NASEM published a report called Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions. This report said that decisions made now and in the future will affect how much damage is caused by climate change. The report agreed with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It stated that most of the warming seen in the last 50 years is likely due to human activities.
In 2013, another report, Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change: Anticipating Surprises, looked at sudden changes in climate. It focused on how these quick changes could seriously affect the environment and human life.
Research Integrity
In 1992, a report called Responsible Science: Ensuring the Integrity of the Research Process was published. It was updated in 2017 by Fostering Integrity in Research. This new report said that the old rules needed updating. This was because we learned more about research misconduct. Also, technology and society have changed how science is done.
One big concern in the report is that many published studies are hard to repeat. This means their results might not be reliable. This can happen because there isn't enough openness in many fields of research.
Other Programs
NASEM also has other programs. The Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellowship is for recent graduate students. They spend three months working at NASEM.
NASEM used to run the Marian Koshland Science Museum. It closed in 2017. Now, they have LabX. This program offers online resources and public events across the country. It aims to help people understand how science can solve community problems.
Funding for NASEM
The National Academies do not get money directly from the government. Instead, they get money from grants and contracts. These come from federal agencies and private groups. In 2023, about 70% of NASEM's money came from the government. They also get donations from individuals, non-profit groups, and companies like Chevron, Google, Merck, and Medtronic.
