Building the Future: How STEM Education and Design Spark Careers in Infrastructure
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By Liz Gallo, CEO, WhyMaker
When we talk about infrastructure, we tend to think of bridges, buildings, roads, or energy systems. But infrastructure isn’t just a technical term for urban planners. It’s something students experience every day: the buildings they learn in, the roads they take to school, the water they drink, and the electricity that powers their homes. The systems around us shape our communities, and they offer incredible career opportunities for the next generation.
That’s why at WhyMaker, we believe infrastructure belongs in the classroom.
We design hands-on learning experiences that help students see themselves in future infrastructure careers. Whether it's sustainable housing or city planning, these real-world topics give students a powerful “why” behind what they're learning in science, math, and engineering.
Let Students Build the World They Want to See
We use products like 3DuxDesign to make infrastructure approachable and exciting for students in Grades K–9. These eco-friendly kits use recycled materials to teach the principles behind architecture, design, and sustainability. With just one 3Dux kit, a classroom can:
- Design and build a sustainable city block
- Create zoo enclosures that teach about ecosystems and simple machines
- Reimagine community centers and public buildings to meet current needs
These design-based projects spark curiosity while teaching problem-solving, teamwork, and real-world engineering concepts.
Want to see it in action? Join us on May 13 for a free Lunch & Learn webinar all about using 3DuxDesign to bring sustainability and creativity into your classroom. (Plus, attendees get 15% off a Mini-Maker Kit to build along with us!)
Infrastructure is Everywhere! Help Students See It!
I recently stood outside a construction site next door to my apartment and thought, Who designed this? Who built it? What careers exist here? That same curiosity is what we want to instill in students. The buildings they pass, the roads they use, the lights that turn on: those are entry points into learning about civil engineering, project management, energy systems, and design thinking.
Through our partnership with Haugland Group, a New York-based infrastructure company, we brought over 100 educators together to learn about work in construction and engineering.. They heard directly from engineers and managers about how infrastructure projects support energy transitions and impact local communities. This kind of workforce development outreach helps educators better connect their students to real careers.
Pathways to Purpose
WhyMaker doesn’t just provide PD and curriculum. We build pathways. We recently met with a female civil engineer working on a major infrastructure project in Brooklyn, and she told us how much design thinking and empathy go into her work. Women and underrepresented students need to see those possibilities.
Programs like our Clean Energy Workshops, supported by NYPA (New York Power Authority), give educators tools to teach sustainability, energy efficiency, and career readiness all at once. Learn more or apply here.
We also carry other infrastructure-aligned products in the WhyMaker store, like:
- Strawbees: Great for building large-scale, collaborative structures
- Lux Blox: Perfect for hands-on engineering and spatial thinking
- Kai’s Clan: An AR/VR robot platform that connects to coding, 3D printing, and virtual architecture
The Big Picture
Infrastructure is an invitation. It invites students to look up and ask questions. It gives teachers a framework to connect standards to something real. And it allows industries to invest in the future workforce by showing students the roles they could play.
Whether it’s a construction site in your neighborhood or a cardboard city in your classroom, there’s no better time to build the future.
Want help bringing infrastructure, engineering, or clean energy to your school or district? Let’s talk. Book a call or email us at info@whymaker.com