Nearly 50 Worcester Incubator for Innovation "fellows" have been brainstorming ways to improve the city's traffic. The group's ideas, to be revealed Jan. 22, will include such things as a database to improve access to health care facilities, a high school competition focused on traffic engineering and a system called "Tasks for Transit" in which people earn bus passes based on their hours volunteering.
The Worcester Incubator for Innovation has National Science Foundation funding and is hosted by the EcoTarium and Clark University.
From 5 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Union Station, the Worcester fellows — slightly fewer than 50, down from 100 at the start — will host an "innovation launch" to share their ideas. The teams will give short presentations on the seven solutions they have in mind for Worcester.
Director Joyce Kressler said the teams have had since March to meet and discuss ideas, with many of the teams working on their own "in the field" before returning to collaborate with their peers. Participants in the program range in age — from 16 to 72, she said — and come from different institutions, organizations and backgrounds.
In early 2013, the Art of Science Learning group selected Worcester, Chicago and San Diego to host incubators through a $2.6 million NSF grant. The Worcester incubator has focused on transportation, while the Chicago and San Diego teams have focused on other matters.
After the presentations Jan. 22, fellows will have the opportunity to join an "accelerator" program and develop their ideas further for about three to six more months. The event at Union Station, Ms. Kressler said, is an opportunity for teams to share and possibly connect with experts and potential backers.
"It's really pitching it to the public and business community for interest from investors, additional partners, to bring each of these ideas to fruition," she added.
Registration is requested for the Jan. 22 event. Afterward, there will be refreshments and a cash bar.
Contact Samantha Allen at samantha.allen@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @SAllen_89
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