The University City Science Center will announce a strategic alliance with Microsoft Corp. with a focus on digital literacy, small business and entrepreneurship, health and wellness, and youth engagement with STEM subjects. The announcement will take place on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 12:45 p.m. at Quorum at the University City Science Center, located at 3711 Market Street in Philadelphia.
As part of the Digital Alliance, the Science Center will jointly host with Microsoft the following events during the Democratic National Convention:
- July 26th, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT: A YouthSpark Live Town Hall, followed by a luncheon announcing the Strategic Digital Alliance and other community partnerships; and
- July 27th, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. EDT: a Healthcare Innovation roundtable forum for local members and partners of the Science Center and neighboring healthcare communities.
After the DNC, the Science Center will work with Microsoft to offer a DigiCamp program for Boys, a DigiGirlz Day program for Girls, and an educational forum that will focus on development and capacity building for startup organizations and small businesses through the Microsoft BizSpark program.
“Our Strategic Digital Alliance with Microsoft builds on the work we’ve been doing at the Science Center to support entrepreneurship and engage middle-school STEM students,” says Science Center President & CEO Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D., MBA. “Together we will be able to reach new audiences and introduce even more people to the transformative power and potential of technology.”
“Microsoft is thrilled to support the Science Center because we believe that the power of technology helps individuals and communities do more and achieve more, so they can ultimately realize their full potential,” said Donna Woodall, Director Microsoft Citizenship & Public Affairs. “This strategic alliance with the Science Center is exciting as it provides youth with access to coding courses such as video game development and small businesses and entrepreneurs with innovation workshops as well as technology tools to help them reach their goals.”
Microsoft’s work with the Science Center is part of Microsoft’s CityNext program to empower people—whether governments, citizens, or businesses—to transform their cities and their future. Through CityNext, people can take advantage of a broad portfolio of products and technologies, a global network of partners, and a long track record of successful education and social programs.
Programming will take place at the Microsoft Reactor, housed on the ground floor of 3711 Market Street. Located in the heart of uCity Square, Microsoft Reactor is an industry partnership between Microsoft, SeventySix Capital, the University City Science Center and Wexford Science + Technology.
About the Science Center
Located in the heart of uCity Square, the University City Science Center is a dynamic hub for innovation, and entrepreneurship and technology development in the Greater Philadelphia region. Founded in 1963 as the nation’s first urban research park, it provides business incubation, programming, lab and office facilities, and support services for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing and established companies. Graduate firms and current residents of the Science Center’s business incubator support one out of every 100 jobs in Greater Philadelphia and drive $13 billion in economic activity in the region annually. For more information about the Science Center, go to www.sciencecenter.org or view our 2016 Annual Review at www.UCSCReview.org
