Salesforce extends tailor-made STEM help to poorer schools

US cloud computing giant Salesforce is bringing its ‘Circle the Schools’ program to Australia.

Salesforce Asia-Pacific executive vice-president and general manager Mark Innes: ‘More needs to be done by the technology industry, educators and government’. Picture: Britta Campion

US cloud computing giant Salesforce is bringing its Circle the Schools program to Australia, to do its bit to support technical ­education in local schools.

The program is part of Salesforce’s effort to engage with schools globally and the company’s Asia-Pacific executive vice-president and general manager Mark Innes told The Australian the move would broaden the scale of the work the company is already doing in Australia.

“We are already working with schools like Casula High School (in western Sydney) and Wyndham Park Primary (southwest of Melbourne) so the latest initiative will now formalise our involvement,’’ Mr Innes said. “Ideally, we are looking to assist schools that don’t have the capabilities or are in lower socio-economic areas and give them the tools they need.’’

The company will deliver tailored curriculum support to nine schools throughout the year. Salesforce will leverage its partnership with non-profit group Schools Plus to identify the selected schools.

Mr Innes said Salesforce staff would work with educators as well as students to foster confidence in the technology ­sector as a provider of future jobs. Schools Plus CEO Rosemary Conn said the ­involvement of a multinational like Salesforce was important in making technology education more accessible to kids.

“We have seen incredible results from the partnerships between Salesforce and the schools it supports in less-advantaged parts of Australia. Without support, many of these schools would not have been able to embark on the science, technology, engineering and maths programs they’ve introduced,” she said.

Mr Innes pointed to research commissioned by Salesforce that found 40 per cent of high school students believed their institution did not provide them with appropriate technology and digital skills. “It shows that more needs to be done by the technology industry, educators and government and we want to bridge the gap.”

Casula High School principal Jennifer French said the partnership had helped the school to maximise STEM opportunities for students. “This industry relationship has supported us to ­empower our staff and improve their practice in areas such as ­design thinking, robotics and ­public speaking,” Ms French said.

Wyndham Park principal Laban Toose said exposing ­students to digital opportunities was crucial to stimulating their ­interest in STEM subjects.

“We ask companies like Salesforce to join us in the learning ­activities and share their expertise and knowledge,” Mr Toose said.

“More importantly we ask them to show their commitment to ongoing learning and show everyone is capable of learning, and enjoying science and ­mathematics.”