3M partnered with the University of São Paulo for Desafio de Inovação (The Innovation Challenge), a course training teachers on how to guide and inspire innovation among students. 3M’s motive was to boost STEM skills not just through student-facing programs, but through investing in educators. The free 110-hour course helps public school teachers assist elementary and middle school students entering 3M’s science competition. Finalists of that event move on to Brazil’s national science fair and eventually to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in the US. Of the students whose teachers participated in the course, 90% found the program aided their schoolwork and 96% said it influenced their thinking around future careers.

If you haven’t yet buddied up to an educational program let our takeaways below inspire a new alliance!

- Future proofed. Before you know it, the oft-feared future will be here. Consider that some experts project 40% of jobs will be replaced by robots, and in advanced economies a median of just 34% believe when today’s children grow up they’ll be better off than their parents. Education in key fields (like technological innovation) will be vital in preparing for and thriving in the future. Is there a relevant skill set that your team has mastered? Can your company distribute that unique knowledge to ‘future proof’ younger generations?

- Get in early. “Those who can’t, teach” is an awful myth. If your company truly wants to shape the future via education, working closely with teachers and academic institutions is key. The stronger your scholastic alliance, the greater the opportunities and more durable the impact. Beyond investing in your future workforce (see Amazon’s recent investment in HQ2’s talent pipeline), you can earn the respect of the community, unlock new perspectives, and even ‘stumble’ upon a revolutionary innovation (see Ministry of Supply and MIT). Class dismissed!