Capacity building and focused strategic planning targeting STEM across stakeholders from different sectors (industry, schools and government) were central principles underpinning partnerships involving both Hi-Tech Network Alliance and Camelot Primary School (Walsh, 2004; Bailey, 1994). The estab- lishment of a large scale Hi-Tech Network Alliance of schools over a decade with substantial support from administrators, industry, community groups and universities, and driven by passionate and committed educators, has enabled major educational innovations to be developed which are, again, aligned with the local community. The alliance in partnership with industry demonstrates how schools and education can respond to contemporary economic priorities by raising awareness of the scope of careers in the mineral resource industry. It was then able to capitalize on this industry to enhance pedagogical practices in the classroom.