Siobhan Kenney

It was a sweltering 110 degrees on the roof, but that didn’t deter the Applied Materials employees who volunteered to install solar panels on two homes in a modest San Jose neighborhood recently. Gallons of water, ample sunscreen, and plenty of breaks under highly-coveted shade trees fortified the volunteers who worked alongside students from local solar job training programs.

The languages were different but the lessons learned were similar. Finding innovative solutions to complex problems requires creatively, experimentation, and teamwork. And, the process of converting a concept – as clever, timely, and intriguing as it may be – to a prototype for public display can be overwhelming. Sometimes a brilliant idea is helped by a ready supply of duct tape, late night calls to mentors, last minute tweaks to wiring systems, and a presentation that includes a bit of theatrical magic!

Recently, women from some of the most innovative companies in Silicon Valley left their cleanrooms, computers, and cubes to immerse themselves in the world of art … and discovered that inspiration and creativity are traits shared across sectors, industries, and disciplines. The reps from Yahoo! Women in Tech had an amazing time as stated in a recent post.Visiting the San Jose Museum of Art exhibit by Joan Brown, guests were challenged to examine how an artist – or any innovator – grapples with the complexities of a problem. They explored the results of bold experimentation and risk-taking leadership. The art prompted conversations on authenticity, cross-cultural communication, and opportunities that bring people of diverse backgrounds together in shared experiences – at work and in the community.

We arrived in the rain and the dark. We stretched with giant glittery turkeys. Some were fast and young. Others were not. We ran, we strolled, we hobbled. But, we prevailed!On Thanksgiving morning, it was announced that Applied Materials has retained its title as the Fittest Firm at the annual Silicon Valley Turkey Trot! An amazing 514 employees and their family members registered to participate in the event … pushing our numbers way beyond any other company in our category.With victory in the air, Applied representative, Mark Walker, accepted the highly coveted award from Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Dennis Cima, and vowed to return next year!

There is still time to register for the Turkey Trot! Why register? Here are the top 10 reasons to participate and register for this year’s Turkey Trot.

Some are serious runners; others are out for a leisurely stroll. Hundreds will be dressed in appropriately themed holiday outfits and others just can’t let go of that favorite Halloween costume. They will arrive by train, on bikes, via large parking lots, many before the break of dawn.And, all to participate in the 7th annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot in downtown San Jose on Thanksgiving morning – an event that is fast becoming a family-oriented tradition in the community.

One is improving the efficiency of first aid delivery in the event of mass casualties. Another is fighting the proliferation of counterfeit drugs and untested medical devices in emerging countries through a mobile RFID-based system. And, a third is dedicated to promoting dental health among children who don’t have knowledge of daily brushing techniques and benefits.They aren’t medical professionals with years of experience but high school students from Shanghai, China who won the Applied Materials Future Science Stars competition this spring.

Just like students starting a new school year, local teachers were faced with unfamiliar settings, loads of jargon, mysterious tasks, and new colleagues as part of their Fellowship with Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Educators (IISME). For many who participated in the 27 year old public-private partnership, the Fellowship provided a unique opportunity to work in a corporate environment, live the culture, and learn more about the skills their students will need to compete in the global marketplace.Recently, the ten IISME Fellows who worked at Applied this summer, and were mentored by employees, presented information about their time at the company, their projects, and their Education Transfer Plan that addresses how the Fellowship will impact their teaching and student learning once they return to the classroom.