Media Advisory: UB to launch new Solar Strand app with 150 children on Earth Day

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Who needs a tour guide when you have technology?

To celebrate Earth Day, the University at Buffalo is unveiling a new mobile application that guides visitors through the Solar Strand, UB’s one-of-a-kind solar array on the North Campus.

Made possible through a grant from Verizon Foundation, and developed with support by Buffalo-based IBC Digital, the app acts like traditional signs in museums and parks – only it’s more interactive.

The app guides visitors to different stations, each with distinct videos, graphics and information on the Solar Strand’s design, real-time power production, local wildlife and more. To learn more about the app, and download iOS and Android versions, check out UB Sustainability’s webpage.

To put the app through its paces, UB has invited 150 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders to campus.

“The app unlocks what the Solar Strand is all about in a fun, technology-driven way,” said Ryan McPherson, UB’s chief sustainability officer. “We figured who better than a bunch of tech-savvy students to test it out.”

What: UB launches a new Solar Strand app with 150 students. The students are from Nichols School, Nardin Academy, Saints Peter & Paul School and the Park School of Buffalo.

When: 10-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22.

Note to news media: Students signed permission slips allowing them to be photographed and filmed.

On-site contact: Ryan McPherson at 716-861-0128.

Where: The Solar Strand on UB’s North Campus. Visitors should park in the Center for Tomorrow lot (near building No. 53 on this map).

The app unveiling is one of more than 30 events occurring at UB as part of Earth Week. See a a complete list of events.