www.nyas.org • Online 2012

Sports & STEM:A Winning Combination

Scientifi c Effortsin Yucatán, Mexico

AcademyFacts & Figures

A SCIENTIST’S SECRET WEAPON?

Creativity:

ChairNANCY ZIMPHER

President [ex offi cio]ELLIS RUBINSTEIN

Vice Chair KENNETH L. DAVIS

Secretary [ex offi cio]LARRY SMITH

TreasurerROBERT CATELL

PETER AGRENobel Laureate & Univ. Prof. and Director, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Inst., Dept. Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public HealthRICHARD AXELNobel Laureate & Professor, Columbia Univ.; Investigator, HHMILEE BABISSExec. VP, Global Laboratory Services, Pharmaceutical Product DevelopmentDAVID BALTIMORENobel Laureate & President Emeritus, CaltechETIENNE-EMILE BAULIEUFormer President, French Academy of SciencesPAUL BERGNobel Laureate & Prof. Emeritus, Dept. of Biochemistry, Stanford Univ.LEN BLAVATNIKChairman, Access IndustriesGÜNTER BLOBELNobel Laureate & Director, Laboratory for Cell Biology, The Rockefeller Univ.IRINA BOKOVADirector General, United Nations Educational, Scientifi c and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)SYDNEY BRENNERNobel Laureate & Distinguished Prof., Salk Inst.MICHAEL S. BROWNNobel Laureate & Prof. of Molecular Genetics, Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterLINDA BUCKNobel Laureate & Investigator for HHMI; member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterKAREN E. BURKEDermatologist & Research ScientistTHOMAS R. CECHNobel Laureate & Distinguished Prof., Univ. of Colorado, BoulderMARTIN CHALFIENobel Laureate & William R. Kenan, Jr., Prof. of Biological Sciences; Chair, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Columbia Univ.CECILIA CHANManaging Director, Gold Avenue Ltd.

AARON CIECHANOVERNobel Laureate & Distinguished Research Prof., Tumor and Vascular Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Inst. of Tech., Haifa, Israel PETER DOHERTYNobel Laureate & Researcher, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; Univ. of MelbourneMIKAEL DOLSTENPresident, Worldwide Research and Development; Sr. VP, Pfi zer IncMARCELO EBRARD CASAUBÓNMayor, Mexico CityEDMOND H. FISCHERNobel Laureate & Prof. Emeritus, Dept. of Biochemistry, Univ. of WashingtonJOSEPH GOLDSTEINNobel Laureate & Chairman, Molecular Genetics, Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterS. GOPALAKRISHNANExec. Co-Chairman of the Board, Infosys Technologies LimitedPAUL GREENGARDNobel Laureate & Prof. of Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller Univ.GLENDA GREENWALDPresident, Aspen Brain Forum FoundationPETER GRUSSPresident, Max Planck Gesellschaft, GermanyWILLIAM A. HASELTINEPresident, The Haseltine Foundation for Medical Sciences and the Arts; Chairman, Haseltine Global Health, LLCERIC KANDELNobel Laureate & Prof., Physiology & Cell Biology, Columbia Univ.KIYOSHI KUROKAWAFormer Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan; Prof., National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) LEON LEDERMANNobel Laureate & Pritzker Prof. of Science, Illinois Inst. of Tech.; Resident Scholar, Illinois Math & Science Academy GREGORY LUCIERChairman and CEO, Life Technologies Corporation

RODERICK MACKINNONNobel Laureate & John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Prof., The Rockefeller Univ.; Investigator, HHMIGERALD J. MCDOUGALLNational Partner, Global Pharmaceutical & Health Sciences Practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPRICHARD MENSCHELSr. Director, Goldman SachsRONAY MENSCHELChairman of the Board, Phipps Houses; Board of Overseers, Weill Cornell Medical CollegeHEATHERMUNROE-BLOOMPrincipal and Vice-Chancellor, McGill Univ.FERID MURADNobel Laureate & Director, IMM Center for Cell Signaling, The University of Texas at HoustonJOHN F. NIBLACKFormer President, Pfi zer Global Research & DevelopmentPAUL NURSENobel Laureate & President, The Royal Society; former President, The Rockefeller Univ.ROBERT C. RICHARDSONNobel Laureate & Sr. Vice Provost for Research, Floyd R. Newman Prof. of Physics, Cornell Univ.RICHARD ROBERTSNobel Laureate & CSO,New England BiolabsEDWARD F. ROVERPresident, The Dana FoundationF. SHERWOOD ROWLANDNobel Laureate & Prof. of Chemistry & Earth Science, Univ. of California, IrvineBENGT SAMUELSSONNobel Laureate & Prof., Medical & Physiological Chem., Karolinska Inst.; former Chairman, The Nobel FoundationIVAN SEIDENBERGAdvisory Partner, Perella Weinberg Partners LP; former Chairman of the Board, VerizonISMAIL SERAGELDINDirector, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, The Library of Alexandria, EgyptPHILLIP A. SHARPNobel Laureate & Director, McGovern Inst., MIT Center for Cancer Research

ELLIOTT SIGALCSO, Bristol-Myers SquibbMICHAEL SOHLMANFormer Exec. Director, The Nobel FoundationPAUL STOFFELSCompany Group Chairman, World Wide Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals Group, Johnson & JohnsonMARC TESSIER-LAVIGNEPresident, The Rockefeller Univ.MARY ANN TIGHECEO, New York Tri-State Region, CB Richard EllisSHIRLEY TILGHMANPresident, Princeton Univ.FRANK WALSHCEO, Ossianix, Inc. GERALD WEISSMANNProf. of Medicine, NYU School of MedicineJOHN WHITEHEADFormer Chairman, Lower Manhattan Development Corp.; former Co-Chairman of Goldman SachsGEORGE WHITESIDESMallinckrodt Prof. of Chemistry, Harvard Univ.TORSTEN N. WIESELNobel Laureate & former Secy. General, Human Frontier Science Program Organization; President Emeritus, The Rockefeller Univ.FRANK WILCZEKNobel Laureate & Herman Feshbach Professor of Physics, MITERNST-LUDWIG WINNACKERSecy. General, Human Frontier Science Program; former Secy. General, European Research Council; former President, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, GermanyANDREW WITTYCEO, GlaxoSmithKlineDATO ZAKRI ABDUL HAMIDScience Advisor to the Prime Minister of MalaysiaELIAS ZERHOUNIPresident, Global Research & Development, Sanofi -AventisAHMED ZEWAILNobel Laureate & Linus Pauling Chair of Chemistry and Physics, CaltechGUANGZHAO ZHOUFormer Chairman, Chinese Association of Science & Technology

GovernorsLEN BLAVATNIKMARY BRABECKNANCY CANTORMARTIN CHALFIEMILTON COFIELDMIKAEL DOLSTENELAINE FUCHS

JAY FURMANALICE P. GASTBRIAN GREENETHOMAS L. HARRISONSTEVE HOCHBERGTONI HOOVERTHOMAS C. JACKSON

JOHN E. KELLY IIIMEHMOOD KHANJEFFREY D. SACHSKATHE SACKLERMORTIMER D.A. SACKLERJOHN E. SEXTON

GEORGE E. THIBAULTPAUL WALKERIRIS WEINSHALLFRANK WILCZEKMICHAEL ZIGMAN

International GovernorsSETH F. BERKLEYMANUEL CAMACHO SOLISGERALD CHANS. KRIS GOPALAKRISHNAN

RAJENDRA K. PACHAURIRUSSELL READPAUL STOFFELS

Chairman EmeritusTORSTEN N. WIESEL

Honorary Life GovernorsKAREN E. BURKEHERBERT J. KAYDENJOHN F. NIBLACK

Board of Governors

President’s Council

On the cover: Abstract fractal leaves

Executive Editor Diana Friedman

Art DirectorAsh Ayman Shairzay

ContributorsAdedeji Badiru,

Raul Godoy-Montañez,Alfonso Larqué-Saavedra

Editorial Offi ce7 World Trade Center

250 Greenwich St, 40th FlNew York, NY 10007-2157

Phone: 212.298.8645Fax: 212.298.3655

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Advertising InquiriesPhone: 212.298.8636

Email: magazine@nyas.org

Visit the Academy onlinewww.nyas.org

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contentscontentsMember Article

The Intersection of Sports and STEMby Adedeji BadiruPiquing kids’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math may be as easy as picking up a ball.

Cover Story

Your Creative Mindby Diana FriedmanIs creativity a scientist’s most important weapon?

Member Article

Aligning Scientifi c Efforts in Mexicoby Raul Godoy-Montañez and Alfonso Larqué-SaavedraTh e state of Yucatan uses local policies to promote science and technology.

Last Look

The Academy by the NumbersFacts and fi gures about your Academy.

Online 2012Online 2012

2 www.nyas.org

Letter from the Editor

Dear Readers,

I am happy to present this bonus issue of Th e New York Academy of Sciences Magazine. Th is online-only issue, which was produced in addition to our usual print issues, gives the Academy editorial staff a valuable opportunity to try out new soft ware and, most importantly, to solicit feedback from you and your fellow members.

I’ve heard from some of you that you prefer to read magazines on your digital de-vices. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to do so now, and to let me know if you enjoy this digital format. Rest assured, print issues are not going away. Everyone will receive print copies of the Autumn issue next month, as usual. However, in the future, we may—based on your feedback—give you a choice of how you would like to receive your magazine (print or digital), providing you with more options for your busy lifestyle.

Please keep an eye out for an email survey on your magazine preferences in the com-ing months. Your feedback will be critical in shaping the future of the magazine. And, as always, I welcome your comments and feedback directly at dfriedman@nyas.org.

In the meantime, I hope that you enjoy this bonus issue. I am particularly pleased to feature two articles written by Academy members, which I trust you will fi nd both intriguing and useful. Happy reading.

Sincerely,

Diana FriedmanExecutive Editor Th e New York Academy of Sciences Magazine

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The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Online 2012 3

MM uch has been said and written about the need to fi nd new

strategies to spark the interest of kids in science, technology, engineering, and mathemat-ics (STEM) education, which is essential for preserving the nation’s technological superi-ority and ensuring economic advancement. Th e key is to fi nd the right “hook and bait” to get youngsters interested in technical and scientifi c fi elds.

Recent studies have con-cluded that physical activi-ties can enhance the learning potential of kids. Why not, then, channel that connection toward enhancing STEM edu-cation through a structured sports and STEM curriculum?

Ball-based sports (soccer, basketball, tennis, soft ball, racquetball, etc.) are par-ticularly well-suited for translation into en-gaging STEM lessons. Aft er all, all balls are not created equal. Th e STEM properties of sports balls are diff erent based on their in-tended purposes. Kids can study the prop-erties of individual balls, or do a compara-tive analysis of diff erent types of balls.

Sparking CuriosityOn a recent visit to the Air Force Institute of Technology, Astronaut Mike Fossum, a 1981 graduate of the institute, showed a video where a colleague of his on the In-ternational Space Station played baseball all by himself. He would pitch the ball and then let himself fl oat ahead of the ball so that he could bat, then catch the ball at the other end, eventually throwing it to him-self again. Th is is an exciting illustration of how the lack of gravity in space can be exploited for a self-played game.

I do not know many young kids who will see such a demonstration and not ask further questions. With questions comes inquisitiveness and with inquisitiveness comes interest. Teachers can use this in-terest to explain, engage, and retain atten-tion for STEM principles.

A specifi c example of using ball sports to teach STEM subjects is provided by the education-oriented website, www.phys-icsofsoccer.com, which presents an en-gaging connection between physics and soccer. Issues addressed by the website include what makes a ball bounce, how gravity aff ects the fl ight path of a soccer ball, and how friction and moisture im-pede a ball’s path.

Th ese are issues that inquiring young minds would be delighted to explore in a fun, relational way. For example, the fl ight path of a kicked soccer ball can be modeled to provide engaging simulation experiments to teach kids new concepts about gravity, lift , and drag, without the

intimidation that can oft en ac-company these subjects.

Soccer Ball DissectionAnalogous to the way kids learn biology by dissecting a frog, the “dissection” of a soc-cer ball, both literally and fi g-uratively, can reveal learning opportunities for the STEM properties embodied in the ball. Th e image at left illus-trates where and how STEM elements fi t into the overall integrity of the soccer ball in terms of mathematical de-scription of the shape, surface properties, and shape design of the ball.

Th e shape of a soccer ball is an example of a solid spheri-cal polyhedron, also known

as truncated icosahedrons, which has 12 black pentagons, 20 white hexagons, 60 vertices, and 90 edges.

Th is example of dissecting a soccer ball to illustrate STEM applications is not in itself the goal here, but rather pro-vides an example of the ways that parents and teachers can leverage whatever is at hand (e.g., sports equipment or other props) to explain and spark interest in STEM subjects.

Every sports opportunity can be lev-eraged as a science learning opportu-nity. Th e key is to recognize and exploit the available opportunity. If we do this, STEM may spread more sustainably than we ever imagined.

Adedeji B. Badiru is professor and head of Systems and Engineering Management at the Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton, OH. He has been a member of the Academy since 2007.

STEM Education

The Intersection of Sports and STEMPiquing kids’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math may be as easy as picking up a ball.

byline ruleby Adedeji Badiru

4 www.nyas.org

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Cover Story

The cover image for this issue is an abstract fractal—a detailed pattern that repeats itself. Here, a Nautilus shell provides an example of a logarithmic spiral, which is close to a naturally occurring fractal because of the property of self-similarity. The images are valuable for their mathematical properties as well as their aesthetic beauty.

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Online 2012 5

CC reativity is a learned skill, not an innate ability; such is the premise of Tina Seelig’s new book, inGenius: A Crash Course on Creativity. But what of those deep-seeded cul-

tural assumptions—that artists, writers, and musicians are born creative, while those in more technical fi elds (scientists, engi-neers, and mathematicians) are simply not? Seelig, the executive director of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program at Stan-ford University, fi nds the idea that creativity is simply a person-ality trait—you either have it or you don’t—laughable. “Th ink of math, or science, or dance…Yes, there are people who are naturally gift ed in these fi elds, but most of the population learns these skills. It’s the same thing with creativity.”

Seelig believes that scientists and engineers—those working “at the frontier of knowledge”—can particularly benefi t from ex-panding their creative capacity through purposeful exercises. “If you just perform the next logical experiment, you will make in-cremental progress. Breakthroughs require breakthrough think-ing.” When working on large-scale problems that haven’t been solved before, such as global warming, creativity could be the key to fi nding solutions that work, says Seelig.

So what can those in scientifi c and technical fi elds do to en-hance their creativity? Seelig provides an easy-to-follow road-map for enhancing creativity in her book. But she is not alone in her eff orts to get more people to spend time on, and see the value in, fostering creativity. From professors who ask open-ended questions with multiple ways to solve a problem (a method Seelig endorses) to actors who teach improv classes for scien-tists, the intersection of science and creativity is getting some time in the spotlight.

Art vs. Science?“Th e ancient Renaissance man could be fantastic at art and sci-ence, but today we like to separate the two,” says Rebecca Jones, a

biochemistry PhD candidate and the public engagement offi cer at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. Th e common thinking that excellence in science and technical fi elds precludes a wealth of creativity, is entirely inaccurate, says Jones. “If you’re creative, you’re oft en better at science. Some of the best scientists I know have come up with more abstract ways of approaching a problem, instead of going the more obvious, logical route.”

But even scientists can get trapped in the notion that creativ-ity has no place in the lab. “A lot of scientists went into science because they feel much more comfortable in a non-artistic envi-ronment. I’ve always had that artistic side, so I want other scien-tists to see themselves in that way too,” says Jones. Such was the impetus for the annual Art of Science Competition that Jones started at the University of Bristol in 2009.

Jones and colleagues collect science-related photographs from research scientists and put them on display in the medical building to be viewed and voted upon. It took a year or so for the entrants to fully understand the point of the competition, says Jones. At fi rst, many submitted their best research images—those that showed a good result, scientifi cally speaking. But as the competition gained traction, entrants began to understand that the images could be valuable for their visually striking na-ture, or for what they said about the life of scientist.

Jones recalls a serene black and white photo that looks like a fi eld of small wildfl owers titled “My Beautiful Adversary.” In real-ity, it is a photo of mold growing on a sample—a nightmare for a scientist. But the photo became very popular with other scien-tists—they could relate to the subject but they also appreciated its aesthetic value. Another, a photo of a rack of test tubes, all bearing labels written in diff erent, messy handwriting, was an antidote to the typical sleek scientifi c photos in magazines. But, says Jones, it drove home the point that science is largely a team endeavor, with many hands playing a role in a successful experiment.

What can you gain by venturing into the abstract?

by Diana Friedman

CreativeYourMind

6 www.nyas.org

“Th e goal is to give scientists an outlet for their creativity and to let them take joy and release in their work,” says Jones. Scientists at the University of Bristol have responded positively, with the competition getting more intense, and the images more artistic, each year.

“A lot of the entrants were really surprised to see how much their images stood out when they were shown in a group—they were so used to seeing them every day that they forgot how spe-cial they were. Th is allows them to see their work in a new way and get reinvigorated about their research.”

Where It Will Go, Nobody KnowsValeri Lantz-Gefroh is a lecturer in the School of Journalism and a workshop coordinator for Th e Center for Communicating Sci-ence at Stony Brook University in New York. But in a word, she is an actor. She was one of three acting teachers, led by the well-known Alan Alda, to help build Th e Center for Communicating Science, a truly unique undertaking aimed at science students.

“Science aff ects every human being on the planet, but there’s a wall of misunderstanding between the general public and sci-entists,” says Lantz-Gefroh. Th e general public oft en thinks they are incapable of understanding science and, furthermore, that scientists aren’t willing to help them understand it, she says. Sci-entists, on the other hand, oft en feel the general public is not interested in their work.

So where does acting fi t in? Lantz-Gefroh teaches improv, one of the more unusual classes at the Center, which aims to teach scientists, through credit-bearing classes, how to better commu-nicate their work to various audiences. She has been pleasantly surprised by how receptive budding scientists have been to her courses. “I expected skepticism, but I have not gotten it at all.”

Instead, what Lantz-Gefroh has gotten is the question, “What does this exercise relate to?” Improv exercises are, by nature, ab-stract. Students are oft en eager to know what, for instance, mirror-ing their partners’ movements with eyes open, then eyes closed, will teach them as it relates to their future careers. “I tell them, ‘It’s a creative process, you don’t always know where it is going to go’,” says Lantz-Gefroh. “If I say, it’s for X, then that’s the thing you’ll look for. But if I don’t say, then it could have a bunch of diff erent eff ects I haven’t even thought about. All could have tremendous value; I don’t want to diminish the potential of the exercise.”

It is for this reason that Lantz-Gefroh likes working with sci-entists. “Th ey like to quantify things, but they are also comfort-able not knowing the answer. I tell them to look at the exercises as a creative investigation.” She is quick to stress that opening up the mind and allowing more abstract thinking is not only of benefi t to scientists. “I think every person benefi ts from creative investigation.” However, she says, that for someone used to look-ing at the world on a sometimes microscopic level, taking a step back can be particularly benefi cial.

A photo by former University of Bristol postdoctoral researcher Alexander Soloviev depicts his ‘beautiful adversary,’ mold. Soloviev took a photo of the mold, found growing on one of his samples, and submitted it to the 2010 Art of Science Competition at the University. His tranquil photo was named a winner.

Cover Story

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Online 2012 7

Story of My LifeEnhancing creativity among professionals in science and tech-nical fi elds certainly has personal and professional benefi ts for those in the fi eld. But can getting scientists to think of their work in new ways also provide benefi ts to the general public? Ben Lillie, a high-energy physicist by training, and now director of Th e Story Collider, thinks so. Th e Story Collider, based in New York City, hosts informal storytelling events where people (both scientists and nonscientists) come together to tell true, science-related stories, usually in a bar.

“I think of us primarily as an arts organization, which is a little weird since we are tied so closely to science,” says Lillie. “Our goal is the same as any arts organization: to explore what it means to be human.” And because the human experience is be-ing so drastically changed by science, “that’s something we need to explore in a cultural content, to explore how that aff ects us.”

Lillie focused on storytelling as the method for exploration because he believes that sharing stories connect us with each other and help us to see that we are not alone. “We give people a way to see that science is a part of their everyday lives, that it’s not this big mystical thing you have to go into a laboratory to even think about.”

Lillie recalls a neuroscientist who told a story about his fa-ther having a stroke. Th e neuroscientist talked about the details of what was happening in his father’s brain (and related them in

lay terms to the audience), but he also related all of his personal emotions that went along with each aspect of his father’s illness. Th is, says Lillie, is how science gets personalized and demystifi ed.

While Th e Story Collider focuses on true stories, the creativ-ity comes in the telling of them. Th e Story Collider staff helps storytellers craft their tales, cutting out the extraneous bits and focusing on the parts that move the story along or convey pow-erful thoughts and emotions. It is an exercise that’s very diff erent than the ones most scientists do in their labs. And for nonsci-entists, it is valuable and diff erent to take ownership of a story relating to science—learning that the personal is powerful, even in the realm of science.

“I think scientists need some space to step aside from their work, to go do something completely diff erent and come back to it.” Lillie says that storytelling is not necessarily the answer; it is just one creative medium out of an infi nite number that can provide benefi ts, both known and unknown.

What might you gain from a creative investigation of your own? Th ere’s only one way to fi nd out.

Diana Friedman is the executive editor of Th e New York Academy of Sciences Magazine.

8 www.nyas.org

TT he state of Yucatán in Mexico is widely known as the land of the classic Mayan ruins of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá. While Yucatán is characterized by age-old cultural tradi-

tions, the past does not defi ne this area that is home to 2 million people. Yucatecan society has long recognized the importance of technology in creating a better future for its residents.

In 1852, the Yucatán governor requested 2,000 pesos from the President for the development of a machine that could ex-tract fi ber from the leaves of the henequen plant (Agave four-croydes Lem.). Th is mechanization enabled the extension of the

henequen industry through the establishment of large planta-tions and a processing industry within the hacienda system—all of which had a tremendous impact on the economic develop-ment of Yucatán.

Today, Yucatán boasts more than 1,000 science researchers, including members of the Mexican Academy of Sciences. It has several institutions dedicated to the development of scientifi c research, including the state university, a technological insti-tute, centers belonging to the National Council of Science and Technology, and campuses of out-of-state institutions, such as

Local Spotlight

Mayan Observatory at the ruins in Chichén-Itzá

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Aligning Scientifi c Efforts in MexicoThe state of Yucatán uses local policies to promote science and technology.

byline ruleby Raul Godoy-Montañez and Alfonso Larqué-Saavedra

The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine • Online 2012 9

the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Center of Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute. Th e best known features of scientifi c interest in the state are the Chicxulub Crater, the Mayan culture, the peninsular aquifer, and the area’s biodiversity.

While such natural resources bring a wealth of potential de-velopment opportunities to Yucatán, researchers and govern-ment leaders realized that the impact of nearby technological and scientifi c institutions could be bolstered if the institutions’ goals and resources were better aligned.

Creating a Hub for S&TTo this end, in May 2008, the System of Research, Innovation and Technological Development of Yucatán (SIIDETEY) was created, integrating the ten most important federal and local public institutions in the state. Th e aim of SIIDETEY is to make Yucatán a “pole” for the development of science and technology in the Mexican Southeast, the Caribbean, and Central American countries, thereby attracting students and the establishment of technology-based companies.

SIIDETEY is a governance model with no cost to the State. It is an agreement between the Rectors and Directors of institu-tions belonging to the System with the aim of bringing together the capacities of its members in favor of science and technology. It is coordinated by the Secretary of Local Education, who acts as a promoter of the model.

Th e two main objectives of this System are to facilitate the de-velopment of joint research projects dealing with topics of inter-est for Yucatán and to serve as a liaison with the State and other national and international agencies in order to obtain the neces-sary funding to boost the development of science and technology.

Initially, SIIDETEY defi ned the most important research fi elds for the State as the development of the Mayan people, coastal development, water, health, food, education, energy, and habitat. Th e focal points for each of the fi elds were also identifi ed. For example, in the fi eld of water, the conservation of the penin-sular aquifer was of prime interest. SIIDETEY is now establish-ing joint academic institutional programs to tackle these priori-ties, such as a program promoting renewable energy sources.

Financial SuccessesWithin the SIIDETEY model, the State has agreed to fi nance the Science and Technology Park of Yucatán and the construction of various laboratories. Th e SIIDETEY laboratories were con-ceived to serve both students and researchers in fi elds such as biomaterials, nanotechnology, biotechnology, coastal engineer-ing, food processing, and renewable energy. A seed bank will also be fi nanced.

One hundred and two hectares were ceded for the establish-ment of the Science and Technology Park of Yucatán, within which the SIIDETEY laboratories and the facilities required for the programs of member institutions will be built, along with other technology-based companies. For its second stage, the Park has been off ered a further 100 hectares to promote, prefer-ably, the establishment of additional companies.

SIIDETEY has made signifi cant progress in obtaining fi nan-cial resources. Th e resources gathered for the funding of research projects since the establishment of SIIDETEY four years ago are

approaching $25 million. Construction has also begun on the Science and Technology Park and the laboratories with an initial investment of $40 million. It is estimated that, by the year 2018, the Park will be providing services to at least 300 researchers and 1,000 postgraduate students.

Th e fi nancial resources obtained for science and technol-ogy in Yucatán over the last four years are unprecedented, and also very welcome, since it is in the Mexican Southeast where a signifi cant portion of the country’s natural and cultural wealth (oil fi elds, water features, and biological and cultural diversity) is located.

Scientifi c and Political SupportSince its creation, SIIDETEY has received the permanent sup-port of the National Council of Science and Technology, whose

members have also established programs to provide the indus-trial sector with seed capital, and to coordinate—through tech-nological development projects—with the academic sector. Th e constant improvement of the business sector and the establish-ment of new technology-based companies will in turn generate new jobs, thanks to the achievements of the SIIDETEY model.

Due to the vision proposed and the progress achieved, the model has recently received the unanimous approval of repre-sentatives from the diff erent political parties comprising the local Congress, who have provided legal justifi cation for the existence of SIIDETEY and the Science and Technology Park of Yucatán.

Although there is still an urgent need for the decentralization of science in Mexico in order to multiply the current capacity of the country, eff orts to align the work of various scientifi c institu-tions have begun to gain momentum. Th e initiative taken by the small state of Yucatán has allowed a new plan to emerge in Mex-ico, facilitating the transition to a knowledge-based economy. Th e promotion of science by the local government and institu-tions will surely stimulate and strengthen the regional economy and generate more opportunities for the next generation.

Raul Godoy-Montañez is the Minister of Education of Yucatán. Alfonso Larqué-Saavedra is Professor at the Centro de Investigación Científi ca de Yucatán. Larqué-Saavedra is a member of the Science Consultative Council of the President of Mexico and has been a member of the Academy since 1998.

Yucatan State Governor Ivonne Ortega (right) and Minister of Education Raul Godoy-Montañez attend a ground-breaking ceremony for the Science and Technology Park of Yucatán.

10 www.nyas.org10 www.nyas.orgorg

The Academy by the Numbers

195Years in existence

Academy Members

eBriefi ngs available online

Podcasts available for download

Total Academy events held

Annalsof theNew York Academy ofSciences volumes published

Students enrolled in the Academy’s Science Alliance program

Subscribers to the Academy’s monthly email newsletter

Social media fans, friends, and followers across Academy programs

Nobel laureates on the Board of Governors and President’s Council

24,000 8,000

69,000 14,000

19332

414260

in fi scal year

2012

TWENTY-SEVEN

Last Look