Local businesses have a lot to gain from strong SMT programs, and they know it. As more and more industries depend on high-tech skills, employers are becoming concerned that in the future they may have trouble finding employees that are qualified in science, math, and technology. It is likely, therefore, that local business leaders will jump at the chance to partner with your school district in order to produce more employable graduates. They know better than anybody what will be expected of students upon entering the workforce, and they can serve as advisors in the process of designing programs. In addition, local professionals can be introduced to students as role models, visible proof of the doors that can be opened by excelling in their SMT classes.

Coming from a variety of backgrounds and professions in the community, school board members are often ideally poised for initiating these kinds of partnerships. Still, care must be taken to put the interests and opportunities of students first, rather than entrusting them to the interests of particular companies.

• What are some benefits of working with local business on SMT issues?
• How can we begin to make SMT-oriented partnerships with local business happen in our districts?
• How have other districts engaged with local businesses around SMT issues and education?

What are some benefits of working with local business on SMT issues?

• Joe Villani of NSBA discusses how local business can help improve SMT programs. [VIDEO] 
• Peter Bruns of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) discusses the importance of making science fun and how HHMI has contributed in Loudoun County, [VIDEO] 
• Anne Bryant, Executive Director of NSBA, emphasizes the value of partnerships. [VIDEO] 
• Article about the IISME program which offers science work experience opportunities to teachers. 

How can we begin to make SMT-oriented partnerships with local business happen in our districts?

• Edgar Hatrick, Superintendent of the Loudoun County, VA school district, describes the beginning of a partnership with Howard Hughes Medical Institute.[VIDEO] 
• Anne Bryant, Executive Director of NSBA, gives advice on how to start making partnerships with local business happen. [VIDEO] 
• Edgar Hatrick discusses the school board’s particular role in making the HHMI partnership happen in their district. [VIDEO] 
• Pricilla Godfrey, Loudoun County, VA board member, explains the role of the school board in partnering with local business.[VIDEO] 
• Information about the IISME program to offer science work experiences to teachers from the National Academies. 

How have other school boards engaged with local businesses around SMT issues and education?

• A compendium of best practices for K-12 SMT education programs including partnerships with business and higher education.
• The Anchorage, AL School District’s “School Business Partnerships” program operates as a non-profit corporation.
• The Olathe, KS School District partners with over 600 different businesses through its Community development Department.
• A board member at NSBA’s 2007 Annual Conference in San Francisco in 2007 discusses how her California district interacts with local business. [VIDEO]