What does it take to get a patent? Students ask a PPG scientist
What is it like to own a patent? Students across southwestern Pennsylvania recently had the opportunity to ask PPG scientists about their patent experiences as part of Remake Learning Days, an annual festival to provide free or low-cost experiences for parents and caregivers to experience the future of education with their children.
Fielded by Linda Anderson, PPG patent agent, Science/Technology (S&T) for the Specialty Coatings and Materials (SCM) business, students asked a range of questions such as “What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever patented?” and “How many patents can I own?”.
In addition to more than 200 students, the virtual session was also attended by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Acting Secretary, Noe Ortega.
“This annual festival offers learning experiences that will help students strengthen their skillsets and prepare them for dynamic careers of the future,” Ortega said in a press release.
Anderson provided a presentation on patents and the patenting process and highlighted education and important skills that are necessary for success as a patent professional and other related careers. She was joined by Caitlyn Mahaffey, PPG engineer, who with Marc Williams, PPG chemist, coordinated PPG’s Science Education Council’s involvement with Remake Learning Days.
“Our ‘Ask a Scientist’ series was a great way to connect with local school districts to showcase the diverse career paths within STEM fields at PPG, including chemists, engineers, data scientists, programmers, managers, patent agents and more,” said Mahaffey.
To learn more about Remake Learning Days, click here. To see other stories about how PPG employees are engaging in our local communities, click here.