In 2007-08, IISME is planning only a limited schedule of Future Connections trips, based on funding availability.  If your company or organization is interested in hosting a trip and can provide funding to IISME to facilitate it, please contact Syreeta Watkins at swatkins@iisme.org or (408) 553-2258. 

Future Connections coordinates industry-based professional development days for educators to a wide variety of companies in Silicon Valley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. 

Groups of 10-25 teachers, counselors, administrators, and others participate in a structured day that typically includes five components: 

• An overview and tour of company products and services        
• Two hours of one-on-one job shadowing matched by interest             
• Lunch discussion/Q&A on hiring practices and skills for job success      
• A corporate training session (e.g. teamwork, change management)         
• A integration session to help implement knowledge gained over the course of the day into practice in curriculum and instruction 

FC works with companies and educators to tailor the day to meet individual needs and strengthen partnerships. Staff assists industry hosts with all aspects of program coordination, logistical support and follow-up. 

Future Connections is a program of Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education (IISME), a non-profit industry-education collaborative. 

The Need for Industry-Education Partnerships 

• Businesses report continued shortages of skilled workers at all levels.  
• Teachers are expected to prepare students for 21st Century careers but have few opportunities to experience the high-tech workplace.  
• Both industry and education professionals benefit from learning more about each others' environments and perspectives.                   
• Industry-based professional development for educators can lead to enhanced student learning. Teachers increase use of real-world examples and applied learning while renewing emphasis on academic performance. 

Future Connections' Track Record

• In the program’s six years, Future Connections has provided over 2,400 K-16 teachers of all subjects, counselors, principals, superintendents and school board members insight into the overall business operations, and specific skill requirements of successful Bay Area companies.      
• Over the years, 88 Bay Area companies have hosted 128 educator trips; many host multiple times.                  
• Participants have scored FC trips on average 8.8 on a 1-to-10 scale, where 10=the best staff development day ever experienced. 

How Your Company/Organization Can Host A Future Connections Day 

For information about what goes into hosting a Future Connections educator field trip, the following materials are available.   

• Company Coordinator Checklist - A document that helps companies plan all aspects of a teacher group visit.                          
• Future Connections Job Shadowing hints - A document that gives activity ideas for company volunteers who will be "shadowed" by the teachers during the Future Connections trip.                         
• Future Connections in Brief - A document that provides a program overview for interested employees. 

If you are interested in learning more about hosting a Future Connections day, would like to receive copies of the documents listed above, or would like your company or organization to participate, please contact Syreeta Watkins at swatkins@iisme.org or (408) 553-2258.