Case Studies

Explore WhyMaker's success stories across government agencies, corporations & foundations, and schools & districts.

Partnering with government agencies to build sustainable and impactful STEM education initiatives.

Government Agencies

NYSERDA

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation who offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Project Timeline: 2023-Present

  • Committed to providing PD for 600 educators at a mix of 1-day workshops and 4-day institutes to teach them about NYS’ clean energy goals and career pathways in the industry
  • Developed clean energy lesson plans and activities
  • Provided educators with clean energy activities, resources, lesson plans, and materials for their classroom
  • Hosted career panels from industry professionals
  • Planned on-site clean energy field trips with local industry

NYPA

The New York Power Authority's (NYPA) mission is to lead the transition to a carbon-free, economically vibrant New York through customer partnerships, innovative energy solutions, and the responsible supply of affordable, clean, and reliable electricity.

Project Timeline: 2022-Present

  • Curriculum development for the STEM Environmental Justice Department on Energy Efficiency, Electricity Basics,  Zero Emission Vehicles, Offshore Wind, Drones, and more. All curriculum ties into workforce development.

CTE TAC

The CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York (CTE TAC) assists the NYS education department in addressing the vision that all learners have access to high quality CTE opportunities that are equitably and deliberately integrated at all educational levels, to better prepare New York students for lifelong learning and career success.

Project Timeline: 2022-Present

  • Provide professional development to improve instruction to CTE educators throughout NYS

Empowering businesses and organizations to make a lasting impact through STEM education and workforce development.

Corporations & Foundations

Sphero

Offers coding robots and design-and-build kits to help students in PK–12th grade reach their full potential in STEM subjects and beyond.

We partnered with Sphero to provide technical PD training in computational thinking and instructional coaching for all 2nd and 8th grade Science teachers in the Minneapolis Public School District using Sphero robots. 

Project Timeline: 3 months (2024)

  • 2,500 students impacted
  • 96 teachers taught and trained through training/coaching sessions (virtual and in-person)
  • 4 Library/Media Specialists taught and trained
  • 2 STEM Coordinators taught and trained
  • 1 Learning Hub created for the project that includes: videos, lesson plans, resources, guides, activities, and 1:1 coaching tools

National Energy Foundation

Their mission is to empower the next generation with energy education. They do this by harnessing the power of education to cultivate and promote an energy literate society.

Project Timeline: 2022-2023

  • Wrote curriculum
  • Designed and built kits for 700 schools across America

Haugland Group

A NY infrastructure services company providing a wide range of energy and civil construction services in the fields of engineering, design/build, project management, project finance and development.

Project Timeline: 2023

  • Assembled 100+ educators in NYC area
  • Hosted a career panel of various Haugland Group employees from different backgrounds to educate teachers on careers in the industry
  • Moderated a collaborative Q&A with the company’s executives who outlined their goals, opportunities, and benefits
  • Led an engaging PD session for educators on how to teach about careers
  • Organized on-site job fair during the PD

Collaboration with StonyBrook University, Haugland Group and Suffolk County

  • Developed a 2-week summer internship program for high school students
  • Created curriculum and and career-connected lesson plans covering energy-related topics such HV DC, energy generation, solar converters, cabling, coding systems, hardware loop systems, and more
  • Provided instruction and facilitated interactive classroom sessions
  • The program was so successful we are currently working on multiple 6-week summer internships for high school and college students in the coming year.

Transforming classrooms and districts with hands-on, innovative programs designed for student success.

Schools & Districts

Minneapolis Public School District

We provided technical PD training in computational thinking and instructional coaching for all 2nd and 8th grade Science teachers, as well as personalized training for Librarians, Media Specialists and STEM Coordinators across the entire district. This included technical training on Sphero robots, helping them plan units and projects to ultimately become lead coaches for long-term implementation.

Project Timeline: 3 months (2024)

  • 2,500 students impacted
  • 96 teachers taught and trained through training/coaching sessions (virtual and in-person)
  • 4 Library/Media Specialists taught and trained
  • 2 STEM Coordinators taught and trained
  • 1 Learning Hub created for the project that includes: videos, lesson plans, resources, guides, activities, and 1:1 coaching tools

Ursuline Academy

An all-girls Catholic School in New Rochelle, NY. They asked us to help their educators learn how to teach Computer Science and Computational Thinking concepts, as well as plan projects that incorporate Robotics into Math and Science courses.

  • 8 teachers taught & trained
  • 800 girls impacted
  • 3 semester-long courses developed
  • 4 content-based projects created
  • Trained technology teachers to use Edison Robots and create classroom management strategies to work with them
  • Purchased 40 Edison Robots for all middle school students to use

Global Learning Collaborative High School

A public high school within the NYC Department of Education that asked us to provide coaching to Computer Science Educators.

Project Timeline: 2 years

  • Supported educators with teaching Python, Robotics, Drones, 3D Printing & AI
  • Encouraged best instructional practices for teaching Computer Science and integrating new technologies into student learning

Collaboration with StonyBrook University, Haugland Group and Suffolk County

  • Developed a 2-week summer internship program for high school students
  • Created curriculum and and career-connected lesson plans covering energy-related topics such HV DC, energy generation, solar converters, cabling, coding systems, hardware loop systems, and more
  • Provided instruction and facilitated interactive classroom sessions
  • The program was so successful we are currently working on multiple 6-week summer internships for high school and college students in the coming year.

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