About Us: Who we are
The Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Outreach Foundation supports students and teachers engaged in project-based learning, primarily in Silicon Valley, and encourages participation in science fairs.
Founded in July 1999, the Synopsys Outreach Foundation offers a program of teacher support and training, support to schools for materials and equipment, and incentives for teachers and students developing science projects.
By 2011, the Foundation had grown to support over 130,000 students and teachers annually engaged in project-based learning. This support is provided to public and private not for profit 501(c)(3) schools in California, as well as to select schools affiliated with regional offices of Synopsys, Inc.
The Synopsys Outreach Foundation serves as the major sponsor of the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship, the regional fair for students in Santa Clara County, California. The Foundation also presents sciencepalooza!, a science fair for students in the East Side Union High School District of San Jose, and sponsors a program of school-based fairs for elementary and middle school students called science-o-rama!
Additional programs and competitions administered by the Foundation include, sciberpalooza!, The Advanced Science Research Facility, The Advanced Science Research Class, SuperSchool teacher training seminars, the i 3 (initiate. investigate. innovate.) program and the Synopsys Outreach Foundation n + 1 Prize.
Please check our Calendar of Activities and this web site periodically for the latest information.
Officers and Board of Directors
Foundation Officers | |
| • | Gary Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer |
| • | Erin Brennock, Chair of the Board, Sr. Manager, Corporate Affairs - Synopsys |
| • | Anna Garcia, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Sr. Financial Analyst - Synopsys |
| • | Erika Varga McEnroe, Secretary, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary - Synopsys |
Board of Directors | |
| • | Rich Goldman, VP, Corporate Marketing and Strategic Alliances - Synopsys and CEO of Synopsys Armenia |
| • | Erin Brennock, Sr. Manager, Corporate Affairs - Synopsys |
| • | Dana Ditmore, President - Oak Valley Consulting, Inc. |
| • | Tom Ferry, Senior Director of Marketing, Silicon Engineering Group - Synopsys |
| • | Zahra Karami, Application Consultant, Implementation Solutions - Synopsys |
| • | Michael Keating, Synopsys Fellow (Ret.) |
| • | Murlin Marks, Underwriters Laboratories (Ret.) |
| • | Roy Okuda, Professor of Chemistry - San Jose State University |
| • | Judy Peterson, Journalist - Silicon Valley Community Newspapers |
| • | Venkata Ravella, Sr. Manager, IT - Synopsys |
| • | Larke Reeber, Engineer - Apple |
| • | Lynn Shannon, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine |
| • | Jaci Spross, Executive Assistant, Silicon Engineering Group - Synopsys |
Synopsys Outreach Foundation Science Fair Coordinator | |
| • | Heidi Black, Physics Teacher - Oak Grove High School in East Side Union High School District |
Tax Exempt Status
In a letter dated January 5, 2001, The Internal Revenue Service determined that the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science & Technology Outreach Foundation is "exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501(c)(3)." The IRS further determined that the Foundation is "a private operating Foundation within the meaning of section 509 (a) of the Code."