It's World IP Day! IP stands for intellectual property, which means if you have an original idea, you can protect it through a patent, trademark, copyright or trade secret. Dr. Gloria Bañuelos, a former high school science teacher, discusses The Inventor's Patent Academy (TIPA), a free online course that educates the public about the patent process.
Dr. Gloria recently spoke to NewsHour Classroom's Invention Ed Teacher Fellows about TIPA, a program designed to ensure that people of color, women and those with disabilities, who have historically been left out of the patent process, have access to IP and patent information. In the following interview, Dr. Gloria discusses TIPA with participant Ken Guinto, a scientist and nanotechnology engineer.
by Dr. Gloria Bañuelos, educator
Ken Guinto’s experiences highlight the valuable role of TIPA in providing accessible patent education and fostering innovation. As Ken continues to navigate his career with newfound insights, his story stands as a testament to the opportunities that await those willing to explore and learn.
Dr. Gloria: Why did you decide to take TIPA?
Ken: I attended a SHPE San Diego Professional (Professional Chapter at Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) general body meeting where The Inventor’s Patent Academy #TIPA was announced. At that time, I did not know what a patent or intellectual property was. However, I found the TIPA resource interesting. I was curious to know what a patent was and thought TIPA was a great opportunity to do so. Therefore, I decided to sign up immediately.
Ken Guinto, scientist and nanotechnology engineer, holding his TIPA certificate.
Dr. Gloria: What did you hope to learn from taking TIPA?
Ken: I hoped to learn what a patent was and why they are important. I learned that and so much more from TIPA. I also learned the term intellectual property and the 4-types of intellectual property – patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets. Moreover, I learned about the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and how to file a patent application with them. Several parts surprised me throughout the modules, such as international patenting and the extension of patenting in the biotechnology field.
Dr. Gloria: What was the most impactful part of the course?
Ken: The most impactful part for me was the timeline that displayed the average time the patent process takes from filing an application with the USPTO to maintaining the patent for the lifetime that it has been approved. This part was most impactful for me because the 20-year timeline example allowed me to have a more realistic time scale of when in my career I can start the filling process for better planning.
Dr. Gloria: How has taking TIPA affected your future aspirations?
Ken: It inspired me to look for other coursework. I recently found an online course about patents and biotechnology. I enrolled in it and have been gradually progressing on my own time. Although I am transitioning to the biotechnology field, I would not have recognized the importance of taking this course if it weren’t for TIPA. In the future, I have been thinking about applying for a patent in the pharmaceutical industry. Given that I speak more than one language, I would like to file my application in the United States and other countries.
Dr. Gloria: Would you recommend this program to a friend?
Ken: Absolutely! My knowledge changed tremendously, from not knowing anything about intellectual rights and patents to having a strong foundation in the patenting process. I have been suggesting it to several friends from various fields. I am also impressed and grateful to Invent Together for offering these modules to the public for FREE!
Dr. Gloria Bañuelos has been dedicated to helping students from historically underrepresented groups find their place in science and engineering careers for more than two decades. She is a first-generation Mexican American who found her success formula on her own. Dr. Gloria believes education is a key ingredient of accomplishment and knows the value of educational resources that help propel student achievement. She is a former secondary school teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Dr. Gloria has worked for the semiconductor company, Qualcomm, for the past several years. Invent Together partnered with Qualcomm to create TIPA.
You can learn more about invention, IP and the patent process through NewsHour Classroom's invention education program. If you'd like more information about Classroom's Invention Ed Teacher Fellowship or joining our fun network of invention educators, contact Vic at vpasquantonio@newshour.org. Or let us know if you'd like to write an Educator Voice piece!
