FotoSynthesis is a social business and education program that strives to connect students in the United States and students in foreign countries by combining social media and photography.

Our program is unique and progressive thanks to its combination of social media and social business. In the past, people have used visual media platforms (Flickr, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.) to share pictures – we are using these new technologies and resources to break cultural barriers.

FotoSynthesis addresses the problems associated with negative cultural stereotypes and misconceptions by establishing relationships among middle school students. Based on monthly prompts, students will share photographs online to establish cross-cultural communication, practice a new art form, and learn about the importance of social media. At the conclusion of each program cycle, prints and photograph books will be sold to program supporters; profits will be reinvested in FotoSynthesis to provide funds to expand the program to other schools and countries.

Our pilot program is currently establishing connections with 7th grade students in the United States and Mexico. The first cycle of the FotoSynthesis program will be implemented in the fall of 2012 and is set to end in the Spring of 2013.