Imagine RIT Festival Launches Effort to Reach K-12 Students

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The Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival is designed to show what can be accomplished when smart, talented people with diverse strengths work together to solve complex societal problems.

That innovative spirit is something that festival organizers are trying to infuse into Rochester area school children—and Imagine RIT has enlisted the support of Time Warner Cable to make it happen.

This joint effort will formally launch during a news conference at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, in Rochester Institute of Technology’s Center for Student Innovation.

“We feel it’s important that today’s young people embrace innovation and creativity,” says RIT President Bill Destler. “Their desire to be different is an innate American characteristic. It is our hope that the Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival will inspire them to channel that passion in constructive ways that will benefit society.”

Time Warner Cable, through its Connect a Million Minds program, has embarked on a similar mission, aiming to inspire students to pursue learning opportunities and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (often referred to as “STEM disciplines”). Therefore, Time Warner has agreed to become the premier sponsor of the third annual Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival.

“The goal of Time Warner Cable’s Connect A Million Minds initiative is to inspire youth by connecting them with STEM related programs throughout our community. The Imagine RIT Festival does just that by offering children and families a unique, fun opportunity to experience hands-on learning and innovation,” says Terence Rafferty, the area vice president of operations of Time Warner Cable Western New York.

Destler and Rafferty will be joined at the news conference by Rochester City School District Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard, East Irondequoit School District Superintendent Sue Allen and Dwayne Mahoney, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester.

Children from the Boys and Girls Club will also be present, participating in an interactive, STEM-related activity at the conclusion of the news conference.

This year’s Imagine RIT Festival, which features hundreds of interactive exhibits, fine art, and live musical and theatrical performances, takes place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, on the RIT campus. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information visit the Imagine RIT website.

NOTE: RIT’s Center for Student Innovation is located on the south side of campus. Media can park in the visitor parking section of Lot S (north side of the lot).

About RIT

RIT is internationally recognized for academic leadership in computing, engineering, imaging technology, and fine and applied arts, in addition to unparalleled support services for students with hearing loss. Nearly 16,800 full- and part-time students are enrolled in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs at RIT, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.

About Time Warner Cable

Time Warner Cable is the second-largest cable operator in the U.S., with technologically advanced, well-clustered systems located in five geographic areas — New York State (including New York City), the Carolinas, Ohio, southern California (including Los Angeles) and Texas. Time Warner Cable serves more than 14 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data and voice services. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers a suite of phone, Internet, Ethernet and cable television services to businesses of all sizes. Time Warner Cable Media Sales, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions that are targeted and affordable.