Imagine RIT exhibit proposals pour in (March 20 and May 2)

The second annual Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival is less than two months away, and this year’s festival looks to be even larger than the inaugural effort.

The Imagine RIT Program Committee expects over 400 exhibits in this year’s festival, which takes place Saturday, May 2. While some of last year’s favorites will return for an encore performance, the RIT community has again demonstrated its commitment to innovation and creativity with hundreds of new examples of groundbreaking research, interactive exhibits, unique demonstrations, world-class artistry and live performances.

“The innovation and creativity that exists on this campus continues to amaze me,” says Imagine RIT Chairman Barry Culhane. “The RIT community certainly rose to the challenge of building on the success of last year’s festival. Visitors are going to walk away tremendously impressed by what our students, faculty and staff do on a daily basis.”

A unique element of this year’s festival was born when RIT President Bill Destler challenged the campus to build an energy-efficient vehicle that could outperform his electronic bicycle. Fourteen entrants have risen to the challenge and will compete against Destler at 9 a.m. on May 2, an hour before Imagine RIT officially gets under way. The winner will be announced during the festival’s opening ceremony and all 14 entries will be exhibited in the WOW! Center (Gordon Field House and Activities Center) throughout the day.

The festival is free and open to the public, rain or shine.

Each issue of News & Events features a project to be showcased at Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival on May 2.

This week’s spotlight:

Human-Powered Bike Blender
Presenter: RIT Cycling Club
Brief Description: As users pedal this bike they provide power to a mounted blender that makes them a smoothie as they ride.
How is the exhibit creative and/or innovative: This zero-emissions vehicle provides both exercise and a nutritious, energizing snack.
Exhibit experience for visitors: Visitors load their favorite smoothie recipe in the blender and pedal until their smoothie is fully blended.

For more information on the Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival, visit www.rit.edu/imagine.

Web extra: Vote for your favorite Imagine RIT poster design by visiting www.rit.edu/imagine/posters. Voting ends at 5 p.m., Friday, March 20. The winning poster will be announced during a news conference in April.