From Virginia: Each year, students attending schools in rural and underserved urban areas of southern Virginia will join high school students from a technical education program in Argentina (Otto Krause Technical School). Beyond regional objectives, SIP aims to address some of the scientific needs and technological challenges of developing societies, specifically those in Latin America. As such, our program teaches and trains high school students in advanced technologies within our research area, while also fostering social interaction with local students and promoting collaborations with their international institutions.
Argentine students are recruited from the Otto Krause Technical School, a top-tier public high school that emphasizes technology education. As an alumna, Dr. Finkielstein is familiar with the school's curriculum, particularly in chemistry, and the quality of its education. While Otto Krause teachers are among the best-prepared professionals in the country, funding has traditionally limited students' access to emerging technologies. Therefore, SIP aims to fill this gap by bringing together students from Virginia and Argentina, fostering academic development while simultaneously learning about each other's cultures.