Science Saturday: Clubes de Ciencia México A.C.

Hi, Clubes de Ciencia México A.C.! Welcome to our Reef Community here on Reefbites.

Clubes de Ciencia México was founded in 2015 and their mission is to expand access to high-quality science education for high school and college students from all socioeconomic backgrounds, to inspire the next generation of Mexican scientists and innovators, and to build international networks of education and collaboration in STEM.

What services do you provide the community?

Our program allows students to learn about cutting-edge scientific topics from international experts and offers both educational opportunities and mentoring to thrive in STEM areas. We offer hands-on and free science courses for hundreds of students every year, with equal participation of men and women as students and instructors. 30% of our students are first-generation college students. The “clubes” are intensive, interactive, applied, and free science courses, designed and taught by graduate students and researchers from the best universities in the United States and Mexico, including collaborators such as the Nobel Prize winner in physics Frank Wilczek, in coordination with Mexican institutions. Our educational model is aligned with the UN 2030 sustainable development agenda.

What research projects/conservation efforts/citizen science do you have going on at the moment?

Participants in our program join our international network of STEM education. We strive to expand access to high-quality education for all students. We support the development of future generations of scientists and innovators in Mexico, provide career and professional advice, and nurture student interests in STEM fields. The Clubes de Ciencia Mexico program impacts students, instructors, organizers, and their communities, leading to a stronger STEM education ecosystem in Mexico. In addition to our intensive, hands-on and free courses during 2015 to 2019, we developed online courses, MiniMOOCs, and other online activities such as CdeCMx Challenge, academic webinars, Science Café, and a podcast for our 2020 and 2021editions.

Do you have volunteer opportunities?

Yes! If you are a young scientist or graduate student living in Mexico or the US you can apply to be an instructor in one of our “clubes”. Call for applications are early in the year and you can find the details in our webpage and social network to become one of our +600 instructors!

Do you have internships/fellowships opportunities?

Yes! You can join our team of 80 volunteers across all headquarters. Just visit our webpage clubesdeciencia.mx to check all of our different activities and send us an email to contacto@clubesdeciencia.mx with your personal interest and skills.

Do you have facilities for scientists to stay?

If you join as an instructor in our face-to-face summer edition, we will provide you transportation, lodging, and $300 USD for the materials of your club.

What advice or tips would you give people who want to help conserve/protect reefs but do not have access to volunteering? Any actions they can do from home?

Our coral reefs need scientists who develop solutions for future problems. You can be an agent of change by donating to Clubes de Ciencia México and help us to continue offering free courses. Donate here: bit.ly/donate2clubes and support the future minds!

Are there any collaborations/partnerships you would like to highlight?

We establish alliances with domestic (UNAM, IPN, CINVESTAV, Tecnológico de Monterrey) and foreign (MIT, Harvard, Stanford, UC, UChicago) institutions to promote scientific and technological development. In addition, we recruit scientists and innovators from these universities to participate as instructors. Some of our past edition clubes related with coral reef ecosystems are: 2019. Our sea of plastic, the invisible threat (San Diego State University and Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación A.C.) 2018. Climate change in the ocean: from coral reefs to microbes (UC-Davis and IPN). 2018. Reefs of Mexico: ideal for fighting pollution (University of North Carolina and UABCS). 2017. Reef Ecology: From Swimming to Programming (MIT and UABCS). 2017. RoboFish that Will Help Fish Survive Climate Change (Harvard and CINVESTAV). 2015. The ocean during Climate Change (MIT and CICESE). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFhwzKcp5d0

What to learn more? Check out Clubes de Ciencia’s video: