Ann Sobrato High School senior Andre Brooks, a 2007 Staples Invention Quest Kids national semifinalist, is waiting to hear back from the United States Patent and Trademark Office on his SmartMark bookmark.
Not only does Brooks' version of the bookmark save your page, it saves which line you were on, too. There are two components that are connected by a string.
The idea hit him while he was in his 2006 history class. His teacher gave him a Post-It note to save his page; he simply tore it in half, using one half to save the page and the other to mark his spot on the page. The Smart Bookmark was born.
Brooks was one of 15 semifinalists out of 4,000 entries nationwide.
In March, he flew to Staples Headquarters in Massachusetts to present the SmartMark to the panel of judges.
Brooks thanked his parents for helping him pursue his dream of becoming an inventor. While he waits for a response from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, he's starting an online business, smartmarkbookmark.com.
The Silicon Valley Education Foundation hosts gala celebrating education
The Silicon Valley Education Foundation is hosting its annual Pioneers and Purpose gala from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 18 at The Fairmont San Jose. In attendance will be Ray Bingham, managing director of General Atlantic; Lisa Sobrato Sonsini, board president of the Sobrato Family Foundation; and Faysal Sohail, managing director of CMEA Ventures. Bruce Chizen, former chief executive officer of Adobe Systems, will be honored for his work in the corporate and philanthropic worlds.
Tables are available for purchase as are a limited number of tickets. The Fairmont San Jose is located at 170 S. Market St., San Jose, CA, 95113.
Silicon Valley Education Foundation kicks off $3 million STEM initiative to improve student achievement
Officials at the Silicon Valley Education Foundation announced on Thursday the formal kickoff of their $3 million campaign to fund programs aimed at improving student performance in science, technology, engineering and math, known as the Silicon Valley STEM Initiative.
Noting that students across Silicon Valley are falling behind in STEM subjects and may not be able to provide the future skilled workforce that area companies demand, Muhammed Chaudhry, SVEF president and CEO, said it is vital to provide enrichment programs to bridge the knowledge gap. The foundation is reaching out to business, civic and education partners to help implement the STEM Initiative.
First day of college, no cafeteria
Gavilan College students began their first day of school Wednesday without a cafeteria. The cafeteria underwent $150,000 worth of renovations this summer and college officials were planning to have it up and running in time for mealtime rushes on the first day of school. But the delayed installation of a refrigeration unit, water that's not hot enough and the testing of several pieces of equipment will push the grand opening back about a week, Gavilan spokeswoman Jan Bernstein Chargin said.
The college contemplated several different options, such as opening with limited options, and decided to delay the opening. Signs are posted informing students of the inconvenience and an e-mail was sent out to staff, Bernstein Chargin said.
"Students will need to bring a bag lunch for about a week," she said. "It's disappointing. But it will be opening and we think everyone will really enjoy it when it does."
Gavilan grows to record numbers
Gavilan College opened its doors Wednesday to a student body that threatens to burst the school at the seams.
"Enrollment is way up, again," said Jan Bernstein-Chargin, Gavilan spokeswoman.
Last year, Gavilan was home to about 10,000 students or 5,259 for-credit, full-time equivalent students and 2,000 non-credit students, she said. This year, college officials predict the percent growth to be in the double digits. Bernstein-Chargin said that enrollment - the number of courses that are registered for - should grow by about 20 percent and the number of full time equivalent students - students taking 12 or more units - should grow by about 10 percent, adding that the numbers should firm up after students finish adding and dropping courses.
Meanwhile, the state has not yet passed a budget and college officials are keeping their fingers crossed that the process is expedited. Bernstein-Chargin said that with the college serving more students, they are hoping to receive state funding that recognizes and supports their growth.
"We are hoping for a state budget that keeps in mind that, in the most difficult times, people turn to their community colleges," she said.
But a state budget that's slow to pass didn't keep the college from making a number of renovations over the summer. A sparkling cafeteria will be ready to open for the first day of classes. The facility was remodeled with $150,000 from the student center fund that comes from student fees and contributions from the privately run campus bookstore. It has been completely retiled and will open with a variety of new menu options, including breakfast sandwiches and burritos and homemade pizza for lunch.
Natalie Everett
Natalie Everett Natalie Everett is the education and city reporter for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106, ext. 201, or neverett@morganhilltimes.com.
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