School and Industry Partnerships

STEM isn’t just about enriching education with hands-on activities. STEM is an opportunity to prepare students for a future career. Careers in STEM are growing, and many companies are looking to partner with schools to inspire students to pursue a career in STEM in the future. To build a talent pipeline in their community, Endress+Hauser worked to fund a STEM space at Indian Creek Schools in Trafalgar, IN. 

How One Partnership Began

Endress+Hauser is an industrial equipment supplier in Greenwood, IN. Through a parent connection, a STEM teacher at Indian Creek Schools received a grant from Endress+Hauser to fund STEM technology. Through this relationship, Indian Creek Schools were chosen for a Design and Innovation Studio from Purdue IN-MaC (Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center). Just one connection is all it takes to build a partnership between a local school and a STEM company.  

Building Real-World STEM Learning Experiences

At the Design and Innovation Studio, K-5 students get experience working with Dobots, 3D printers, micro:bits, and other technology. By exposing students to STEM early, this school is building the foundation for students to pursue STEM in the future. With a connection to industry, students are learning skills that are relevant to the manufacturing industry. An industry partnership also creates opportunities for career connections by bringing in employees to talk about their job.

Benefits for Schools and Students

A partnership with a local business helps students understand the importance of what they’re learning and how it applies to the real world. These connections to real industries help students stay engaged because they can see the relevance of what they’re learning. For schools, these partnerships help fund STEM programs and ensure that students are learning skills that future employers need.

Benefits for Industry Partners

Local STEM companies benefit from these partnerships, too. A partnership with a local school builds a local talent pipeline because students are more aware of the jobs and opportunities in their community. Supporting STEM education helps make sure students have the skills and experience they need to secure a job in the future. An educational investment also has a positive impact on the community by strengthening a company’s relationship with local schools and families. 

Advice for Educators

Partnering with a local STEM business can feel intimidating, but a small connection can build a partnership naturally. Start small by applying for grants or reaching out to local businesses to support a STEM project. That initial connection through a parent or community member can help expand STEM education in your school. Showcase your students’ work by organizing an open house in your STEM space, so members of the community can see the impact of STEM education on young learners. STEM education is crucial to creating your community’s future workforce, so reach out to businesses in the area to see if they can support a STEM project or introduce local careers to students.

Creating Career Pathways Through Community Partnerships

Successful partnerships begin with a single connection. School and industry leaders can benefit from a STEM education partnership. Early STEM education inspires students to pursue STEM careers in the future, and that local connection inspires students to stay close to home after they graduate. Career connections from local industries help students realize the importance of the skills they’re learning in the classroom. For a local business, partnering with a school ensures that students have the skills they need to enter the industry. If you’re looking to expand STEM education in your school, reach out to businesses in your community to fund STEM projects or technology in your classroom.

STEM Education Works is dedicated to providing cost-effective and user-friendly access to top-notch STEM curricula and technologies, driven by our mission to transform students’ lives. Learn more about what we do through our socials, Facebook,  Twitter,  Youtube,  LinkedIn,  Instagram, and TikTok.