ECB

How to contact a company for collaboration on STEM education?

During the 6 weeks of the community several topics were addressed, which are valuable for a structural school-business collaboration. Since the beginning of this Community of Practice it was very clear that companies rarely approach schools and vice versa. It is very interesting to think of the reasons why these parties don’t approach each other. You would say it makes much more sense for a company to approach an university, because the aspect of recruitment is present. And off course that is true. But why doesn’t a company approach a primary school? After all research shows that attracting young people for Science & Technology on an early age has a significant impact on the interest they develop in their future years.   

It should not be the responsibility of only the company to approach a school. I would say both parties should feel responsible for making education in STEM attracting. Bus as a school you can take initiative and approach a company. And if you do, make sure you show the benefits (long and short term) for a company in working together with schools.

For example:

• more and better qualified people on the labour market. Start interesting young people for science and technology early.

• meeting young people means you are in contact with your future employees. You get a good view of the next generation.

• employees are enjoying giving guest lectures and other activities besides their regular work in progress.

There are many forms of activities to organize for schools and companies, like guest lectures, lab visits, workshops at company, Girlsday, Career Day etc. When organizing such activities it is important to make a plan together with the company about what is going to happen before, during and after the activity - and why? This secures an outcome for the pupils and makes the visit more than "just" an experience.   

Parents play a very important role in the orientation for a Science & Technology profile of their children. Research shows that pupils are more interested in STEM, if their parents, or one of them, or other family members have a background or career in STEM. During the Community of Practice a lot of experiences were shared on this topic and everybody agrees that is crucial to involve parents. A very good example: our school organized some parents' days during the year, usually Saturday, Children and parents are involved in some laboratory simple experiments, for example make a perfume, a candle or bar of soap. The feedback is generally very positive it's also a good opportunity to talk about STEM career opportunities to parents.    

Jet-Net, the Youth and Technology Network in the Netherlands, has been bringing together schools and businesses for 10 years now. Shell has been participating in Jet-Net since the beginning.

Here are the key factors for a successful collaboration between school and company: 

• Enthusiasm from the company as well as at school;

• Commitment from company management and school management;

• Develop activities for junior and senior school level;

• Draw-up a plan for the coming school year;

• Annual evaluation of the collaboration;

• Embedding of the activities in the school curriculum;

• Ensure a broad support amongst the STEM-teachers for the InGenious activities;

• Ensure quality control is in place.

A few more aspects in relation to successful activities:

• Introducing students to science and technology by means of appealing, hands-on activities;

• Offering students practical counselling in their choices;

• Providing information on other aspects (including non-technical aspects) of technical disciplines and functions;

• Staying as closely attuned as possible to the students’ own perception of their environment;

• Adding context to the context to the teaching of the STEM-subjects – lower barriers;

• Showcasing career prospects in industry and technology – increase attraction.

Remarks:

• The general Jet-Net approach is learning by doing: 80% doing versus 20% listening;

• Always make use of role models as much as possible, i.e. get the students to come into good contact with the experienced workers in technical professions (speed-dating, storytelling, leading the workshop, etc.);

• Get all STEM-disciplines of the school involved in the activities and operate discipline exceeding;

• Integrate the activities in the lessons.