Who We Are

Quienes somos

FUNDAPROMAT

The mission of the Panamanian Foundation for the Promotion of Mathematics (FUNDAPROMAT) is to change the world’s perception so that one and all can experience mathematics as accessible, relevant and inherently joyous.

Math is all around us and we use them daily even if we are not aware of them. The knowledge of mathematics increases critical thinking and the power of reasoning. Thinking analytically helps you make better decisions in your daily life.  Nevertheless, none of these benefits are acquired if people do not give math a chance and reject it, for example, due to negative past experiences.

Through the activities organized by FUNDAPROMAT, we wish to share with the general public the richness and beauty of mathematics and at the same time, inspire our youth to pursue a math career.

Math is everywhere.
For example, we can find math in magic, in music, in movies, in art and in nature.

Jeanette Shakalli

Message from the Executive Director

Through various methods, like magic, art and music, talented mathematicians inspire kids and adults of all ages to discover the beauty of science and math. As a member of several professional organizations, I remain connected with the international mathematical community, which allows me to not only meet exceptional mathematicians but also learn about innovative strategies on how to present mathematics to the general public in a fun way. I hope that the Panamanian Foundation for the Promotion of Mathematics (FUNDAPROMAT) changes people’s perception towards mathematics and that they won’t be afraid of math anymore. I wish that they give math a chance to discover that mathematics is everywhere and that math is our ally.

– Jeanette Shakalli, PhD

Innovative activities created by math experts.

We specialize in math outreach and in changing the way people perceive mathematics.

Our Story

From 2012 until 2019, Dr. Jeanette Shakalli worked at the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT) of Panama. From 2016 until 2019, Dr. Shakalli created SENACYT’s Math Outreach Program with the support of the National Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation at that time, Dr. Jorge A. Motta. During this period of time, Dr. Shakalli organized 22 in-person math outreach events in Panama City and in the provinces with international guests as speakers. These presentations open to the general public about mathematics were a huge success. As a result, the idea emerged of creating an organization independent of the government and of all academic centers that is solely dedicated to the promotion of the study of mathematics. This is how FUNDAPROMAT was born, a private non-profit Foundation that was created on December 6th, 2019 under the legal protection of Law 25 of June 12th, 1995, listed in the Public Registry of Panama on Sheet 25041683. Since March 1st, 2021, FUNDAPROMAT is affiliated to the City of Knowledge Foundation.

FUNDAPROMAT

 

Math trains our brain in logical thinking, which allows us to make better decisions.

Our Advisory Board

Jorge A. Motta

National Secretary of the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation of Panama (SENACYT) 2014-2019, President of the Panamanian Association for the Advancement of Science (APANAC) 2010-2015 and General Director of the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies 2004-2008.

Ing Ilya Espino de Marotta
Ilya Espino de Marotta

Deputy Administrator and Vicepresident of Operations for the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) since 2020, Vicepresident of Transit Businesses for ACP 2019-2020 and Executive Vicepresident of Engineering during the execution of the Panama Canal Expansion Program 2012-2018. Has worked for the Canal since 1985.

Ing Roberto Roy
Roberto Roy

Founder of the company Ingeniería R-M dedicated to the construction industry in Panama, Minister for Panama Canal Affairs 2012-2019, President and First Founder Director of the Panama Metro 2009-2019 and ex President of the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (CAPAC).

Lic. Arleene Aranda de Guardiola
Arleene Aranda de Guardiola
Director of Commerce and Industries of the Vice Presidency of Businesses of Companies and Government at Banistmo since 2020, Director of Special Credits at Banistmo 2019, Commercial Director of the Big PYMES at Banistmo 2013-2018, Director of Commercial Banking at HSBC Bank Panama 2000-2013 and Assistant Vice President in Corporate Banking at Chase Manhattan Bank 1994-2000.
Ing Henry Stec
Henry Stec

Technical Advisor of the General Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Panama 2014-2019. Occupied several positions in the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) 2000-2011, including Electronic and Telecommunications Manager, and in the Panama Canal Commission 1973-1999, including Head of Contracts.

Dra. Clara Grima
Clara Grima

Math communicator, author of the math outreach blog for kids “Mati y sus Mateaventuras,” President of the Outreach Commission of the Royal Spanish Mathematical Society (RSME) 2014-2018 and researcher of the team from the University of Sevilla in Spain that discovered the new geometric form called scutoid.

Dr. Eduardo Saenz de Cabezon
Eduardo Saenz de Cabezon

Math communicator, member and founder of the group of scientists and researchers dedicated to scientific outreach called Big Van Ciencia, creator and administrator of the YouTube channel Derivando with more than 1 million followers and author of various books in Spanish, including “Mathematical Intelligence.”

DRA. ORIS SANJUR
Ximena Catepillan
Professor Emerita from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Chair of the History of Mathematics Special Interest Group (HOM-SIGMAA) of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), Associate Editor of the Convergence Journal of the MAA, and member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Mathematics and Culture and the Morphism Journal of the University of Santiago in Chile (USACH).
Dr. James Tanton
James Tanton

Math communicator, Ambassador for the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), Founder of The Global Math Project, leader of the Curriculum Inspirations project of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and author of various books, including “The Encyclopedia of Mathematics.”

Past Members of the Advisory Board

DRA. ORIS SANJUR

Oris Sanjur (2021-2023)

Deputy Director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) since 2021, Acting Director of STRI 2020-2021, Associate Director for Scientific Administration of STRI 2010-2020 and President of the Panamanian Association for the Advancement of Science (APANAC) 2006-2009.

Explore the beauty and richness of mathematics in a fun and collaborative environment.

Our Young Ambassadors

Learn about our Young Ambassadors Program in the video in Spanish that appears here. If you are under 15 years of age and would be interested in becoming a FUNDAPROMAT Young Ambassador, you may contact us at info@fundapromat.org with your parents’ consent.

Irene

Irene Vasquez, Panama, Video

Yaretzi y Ruth Zapata

Yaretzi and Ruth Zapata, Mexico, Video

Irene

Juan Manuel Lopez, Uruguay, Video

Ian Lovera, Panamá

Ian Lovera, Panama, Video

Andrés Felipe Echeverri, Colombia

Andres Felipe Echeverri, Colombia, Video

Tatiana Heras Bravo, Estados Unidos

Tatiana Heras Bravo, United States, Video

Samuel Morales, Venezuela

Samuel Morales, Venezuela, Video

Jahir Eduardo Zurdo, Panamá

Jahir Eduardo Zurdo, Panama, Video

Nickoll Saray Barrientos, Colombia

Nickoll Saray Barrientos, Colombia, Video

Isabella Castillo, Panamá

Isabella Castillo, Panama, Video

David Laffaurie

David Laffaurie, Panama, Video

David Laffaurie
Maria Fernanda Rosal Granados, Guatemala, Video
David Laffaurie
Angel Humberto Rosal Granados, Guatemala, Video
David Laffaurie
Ahmed Alexander Hassan, Panama, Video
David Laffaurie

Stephanie Lucia Vergara, Panama, Video

David Laffaurie
Yessthanie Chavez, Panama, Video
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