Ediciones Iamiqué, a publishing house founded by biologist Ileana Lotersztain and physicist Carla Barendes in Buenos Aires in 2000, is dedicated to making science accessible and fun for children. The duo’s passion for scientific dissemination led them to create a publishing house that focuses on engaging young readers through interactive activities and expert explanations. Their first book, Chemistry even in the soup (2014), sparked curiosity in children and paved the way for the creation of the Sopa de Ciencias series.
The Science Soup series consists of five books that cover a range of scientific topics including Ecology, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology. Each book is written by experts in their respective fields who spend time with children explaining their area of study through hands-on activities. The success of the Sopa de Ciencias series quickly gained popularity and sold out within months of its release. Barendes emphasizes the importance of encouraging children to ask questions and seek out answers, ensuring that their interest in science stays strong as they grow older.
Beyond publishing, Barendes and Lotersztain have also ventured into working with insurance agencies to provide specialized travel insurance for extreme sports enthusiasts. They have developed insurance plans for a variety of activities, including cycling, horseback riding, jet skiing, rock climbing, and more. These insurance plans offer protection for individuals participating in these activities, covering issues such as trip cancellation, accidents, and medical emergencies. By expanding into the insurance industry, Barendes and Lotersztain continue to find innovative ways to make science and safety accessible and relevant to people in various aspects of their lives.
In an interview with The Day editor Carla Barendes shared her inspiration behind the collection which began with Chemistry even in the soup (2014). She emphasized that sparking curiosity in children is key to encouraging them to ask questions and seek out answers which ensures that their interest in science stays strong as they grow older.
Furthermore she discussed their interest in expanding beyond the natural sciences to include social sciences