Argentine Science Week 2023 - IMIT attracted a multitude of visitors in Corrientes and Resistencia.

Science and technology are areas of knowledge that spark curiosity and wonder in many people, especially young students.

As part of Argentine Science Week, an event organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Institute for Modeling and Technological Innovation (IMIT) presented various activities related to physics, mathematics, and artificial intelligence for students and the general public during the month of October. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of fascinating experiments that allowed them to learn and enjoy science in a fun and educational way. Below are some of the activities and the main lessons learned.

- "Nature has a lot of 'Waves'": This activity showed how sound waves can generate geometric patterns in different materials, such as sand or salt. These patterns are called Chladni figures and depend on the frequency and shape of the vibrating object. Visitors were also able to learn about the importance of waves in everyday life and in fields such as engineering and music.

- "Artificial Intelligence Tools in the Classroom": Students were invited to use two artificial intelligence-based computer tools: ChatGPT and QuestionWELL. ChatGPT is a chatbot that can converse on any topic, while QuestionWELL is a question-and-answer generator for texts. Students were able to explore the advantages and limitations of these tools, as well as reflect on the role of artificial intelligence in learning and assessment.

- "Light and Shadows. Optics for Everyone": Some optical phenomena were explained, such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, and polarization of light. Visitors were able to observe these phenomena with different materials, such as mirrors, prisms, gratings, and polarizing filters. They were also able to relate these phenomena to everyday situations, such as rainbows, sunglasses, and holograms.

- "Visit and technical talk to the Aerodynamics Laboratory," aimed at students of the E.E.T.A. No. 32 “Martín Lidoro Guzman,” a technical school with an aeronautical focus. Students were able to tour the laboratory facilities, where aerodynamic testing is performed on various types of models, including airplanes, cars, buildings, and more. They also received a talk on the basic principles of aerodynamics and the engineering programs offered at the school. The activity was very enriching, as the students showed great interest and curiosity in the topics covered.

- “Soil Moisture Estimation.” This presentation aimed to showcase the research team's work on estimating soil moisture from satellite and field data. The importance of this parameter for the study of climate, agriculture, and water resource management was explained. The methods and tools used to obtain and process the data were demonstrated, as well as the results obtained to date. The presentation was well received by the audience, especially for the aspects related to field measurements, which were easier to understand and visualize.

- "Invisible Forces," an interactive exhibit of devices that generate motion through magnetic and electrical forces. Different types of motors were on display, such as the homopolar motor, the simple electric motor, and the Stirling engine, as well as magnetic braking systems. Attendees were able to observe and experiment with these devices while receiving explanations about the physical phenomena involved. The activity was very fun and educational, as it sparked participants' enthusiasm and curiosity about science.

- "Visit to the QUIMOBI Laboratory," where students from different educational levels participated in experiments on chemical reactions and the density of liquids and solids, guided by advanced students and engineers from the Chemical Engineering program at CONICET. Among the activities were the production of elephant toothpaste, using a redox reaction that generated a colored foam, and the construction of a colored column, with liquids of different densities and colors that were separated by their specific gravity. In addition, the students visited the Pilot Plant, where they observed larger-scale equipment and spoke with the institution's professionals about engineering and science.