UMUC has joined the University System of Maryland (USM) in its sponsorship of EduLab@Light City, one of six Labs@LightCity innovation conferences that will bring together local and national innovators and thought leaders across six key industries during Light City 2017. EduLab@Light City will take place on Wednesday, April 5, at the IMET Columbus Center, 701 E. Pratt St., in Baltimore.

Jesse Varsalone, associate professor of Computer Networks and Cybersecurity in The Undergraduate School at UMUC, will be one of five professors from USM institutions to participate in a session entitled, Dear Mr. President, in which each person will give a five-minute presentation of a big idea for reshaping the future of America. The session runs from 10:20 to 11:20 a.m.

Steve Henick, vice dean for Business and Professional Programs at UMUC, will give a presentation entitled, How Education Technology is Redefining Learning and Access: Baltimore Educational Startups Session, from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

From 6 to 8 p.m., the EduLab Twilight Event will take place and feature innovators and performances from USM institutions.

Launched by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts in 2016, Light City Baltimore is the first large-scale, international light festival in the United States. In its first year, Light City welcomed more than 400,000 people from across the globe over seven nights.

Light City is a free festival that transforms Baltimore with large-scale light installations, performances, music and innovation. Central to Light City is the BGE Light Art Walk along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor,  featuring more than 50 attractions including illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors and a children’s area.

Light City’s innovation programming generates an ecosystem of ideas and learning during the day – while lights, performances and live music re-imagine Baltimore at night.