Case Studies
See how we turn industry goals into engaging, future-ready learning experiences that prepare the next generation for the workforce.
Haugland Group
Bridging the Gap Between Infrastructure Careers and the Classroom
The Challenge:
Haugland Group, a New York–based infrastructure leader specializing in energy and civil construction, sought to raise awareness of real-world career opportunities in skilled trades, engineering, and construction management.
Their Goal:
Inspire the next generation of workers while supporting K–12 educators with tools to integrate career exploration into STEM instruction.
The Solution:
WhyMaker partnered with Haugland Group to develop and deliver a comprehensive educator engagement program that directly connected classroom teachers with industry professionals, demystifying infrastructure careers and aligning instruction with workforce needs.
What We Delivered:
- Regional Educator Convening
Organized a professional development event for 100+ NYC-area educators, introducing them to energy and infrastructure career pathways. - Industry-Led Career Panel
Coordinated and hosted a career panel featuring Haugland Group employees from diverse backgrounds—sharing their journeys, technical roles, and real-world challenges. - Executive Q&A Session
Facilitated a moderated conversation with Haugland executives, offering strategic insight into the future of the energy and civil construction industries. - STEM Integration Training
Led a hands-on PD workshop showing educators how to incorporate career exploration and workforce skills into their existing science and engineering curricula. - Educator–Industry Networking
Hosted a structured networking event where teachers connected directly with company leaders, engineers, and project managers.
Why This Work Matters for Industry Leaders:
This partnership demonstrates how infrastructure and construction firms can take a proactive role in shaping their talent pipelines—starting in the classroom.
Through WhyMaker's education strategy and facilitation, Haugland Group:
- Positioned itself as a thought leader in workforce development
- Built relationships with local educators, schools, parents, and caregivers
- Increased awareness of critical career pathways in skilled trades, engineering, and energy
- Enhanced its brand visibility with future workers, families, and the broader community
Energy Career Internships with Stony Brook University, Haugland Group & Suffolk County DOL
Building the Future Energy Workforce, One Internship at a Time
The Challenge:
As energy infrastructure modernizes and demand for skilled workers accelerates, there's an urgent need to expose students to career opportunities in energy systems, grid modernization, and clean technology. Haugland Group, in partnership with Stony Brook University and Suffolk County, wanted to proactively engage local high school students and build early interest in high-demand energy careers.
The Solution:
WhyMaker designed and led a two-week summer internship program that provided students with immersive, real-world exposure to the energy sector—combining classroom learning, hands-on activities, and direct access to professionals in the field.
What We Delivered:
- Custom Internship Program Design
Developed a structured two-week curriculum introducing students to high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, solar energy, EV infrastructure, cable installation, hardware-loop systems, and essential workplace skills. - Career-Connected Instructional Materials
Created turnkey curriculum and instructional resources tailored to both high school learners and the demands of modern energy work—combining theory, application, and career relevance. - Expert-Led Learning & Classroom Sessions
Delivered daily instruction with WhyMaker facilitators and energy professionals, blending foundational STEM concepts with real industry practices. - Real-World Exposure
Students participated in job site visits, facility tours, guest speaker events, and networking sessions—offering unparalleled insight into careers in energy, construction, engineering, and project management. - Program Expansion in Progress
Following strong engagement and community response, WhyMaker is expanding the initiative into multi-week internship programs for both high school and college students.
Why This Work Matters for Infrastructure Companies:
This initiative shows what's possible when industry leaders move upstream—connecting with students before they've made career decisions. Programs like this are not just educational—they're pipeline-building strategies.
With WhyMaker, energy companies can:
- Develop branded, turnkey workforce exposure programs for high school and college students
- Introduce technical and soft skills early, increasing job readiness
- Demonstrate CSR and CSI leadership through local youth engagement
- Strengthen community, university, and government partnerships
Sphero + Minneapolis Public Schools
Scaling STEM & Computational Thinking with Purpose
The Challenge:
With a grant from The Cargill Foundation, Sphero, a leading provider of coding robots and design kits, sought to expand meaningful, standards-aligned implementation of its tools within a large, diverse urban school district.
The Goal:
Enhance student engagement in computational thinking and hands-on STEM education while empowering educators with the confidence and skills to lead this shift.
The Solution:
WhyMaker partnered with Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) to design and deliver a multi-phase professional development and coaching program built around Sphero's technology. Our strategy prioritized teacher readiness, curriculum integration, and long-term instructional sustainability.
Results That Deliver Lasting Value:
- 96 Teachers Trained to Deliver Industry Knowledge
Across both 2nd and 8th-grade science teams, educators received virtual and in-person PD focused on computational thinking strategies and hands-on robotics integration. - 2,500+ Students Reached
The classroom implementation of Sphero tools resulted in thousands of students gaining early exposure to STEM problem-solving and coding in action. - District Capacity Built
We trained 4 Library/Media Specialists and 2 STEM Coordinators to extend support and foster in-house leadership for the program beyond Year One. - Custom Digital Learning Hub Created
WhyMaker designed a centralized online hub with turnkey resources: - Standards-aligned lesson plans
- Instructional videos demonstrating classroom use
- Printable guides and pacing maps
- Tools for 1:1 coaching and ongoing educator support
Why It Matters for Industry Partners:
This project demonstrates how an education-industry partnership, when implemented with the right strategy, can deliver scalable and measurable results. Through this model,
WhyMaker helps companies like Cargill:
- Accelerate adoption of your tools in real classrooms
- Ensure teachers are equipped to implement with fidelity
- Build strong ROI with clear, student-facing outcomes
- Position your brand as a long-term STEM partner, not just a vendor
National Energy Foundation (NEF)
Empowering the Next Generation Through Electric Vehicle Education
The Challenge:
The National Energy Foundation (NEF) with funding provided by Electrify America, needed a trusted partner to help scale its mission: deliver electric vehicle education to students across the U.S. To do this, NEF sought an implementation model that was educationally sound, easily scalable, and deeply aligned with classroom realities.
The Solution:
NEF partnered with WhyMaker to design and develop NGSS-aligned curriculum and hands-on electric vehicle classroom energy education kits that could be deployed nationwide. These included teacher-guided lessons with hands-on activities for classrooms. Students learned about electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure around the country. Turnkey teacher materials ensured seamless classroom delivery that was branded with the NEF logo and messaging.
What We Delivered:
- Instructional Design & Curriculum Development
WhyMaker crafted NGSS-aligned, grade-appropriate learning modules that integrated real-world energy challenges and career awareness into hands-on classroom activities. - Energy Education Kits
We supported the creation and packaging of custom classroom-ready kits filled with engaging materials to help students explore electric vehicles, charging stations, efficiency strategies, and environmental impact. - Teacher-Ready Materials
Educators received turnkey lesson plans, implementation guides, and digital resources—reducing prep time and ensuring high-fidelity delivery. - Nationwide Reach: 700 Classrooms
- The program was deployed to over 700 classrooms across the U.S., reaching over 14,000 students with high-impact, industry-relevant learning experiences.
Why This Work Matters for Energy Leaders:
This education initiative shows how energy companies and foundations can spread their mission and translate their CSR and workforce development goals into classroom impact—at scale.
By investing in K–12 curriculum aligned with your mission, you can:
- Build early awareness of energy careers and sustainability issues
- Position your brand as a forward-thinking leader in education and community investment
- Cultivate long-term talent pipelines for a more competent, greener workforce
- Meet ESG and public engagement goals with measurable classroom outcomes
New York Power Authority (NYPA)
Inspiring Students Through STEM & Energy Career Exploration
The Challenge:
The New York Power Authority (NYPA)—the nation’s largest state public power organization—has a mission to lead New York’s transition to a carbon-free economy. This includes delivering affordable, clean, and reliable electricity while fostering economic vitality across the state.
To meet its long-term goals, NYPA recognized the importance of engaging K–12 students in STEM and energy education, particularly in communities served by its Environmental Justice (EJ) Department. The challenge was to create accessible, engaging, and standards-aligned curriculum that would:
- Build student awareness of clean energy and sustainability topics
- Inspire curiosity about careers in energy and STEM fields
- Provide educators with ready-to-use, hands-on instructional materials adaptable to classrooms and after-school programs
The Solution:
NYPA partnered with WhyMaker to design and deliver custom STEM curriculum and instructional resources aligned with both state learning standards and NYPA’s mission. Together, they developed interactive modules across critical clean energy and innovation topics:
Energy Efficiency – Exploring how conservation and smarter energy use benefit communities and the environment.
Electricity Basics – Hands-on activities to build foundational understanding of how electricity is generated and delivered.
Zero Emission Vehicles – Introducing students to EVs, charging technologies, and their role in reducing carbon emissions.
Offshore Wind – Lessons highlighting renewable wind power, energy generation, and New York’s offshore wind projects.
Each curriculum package included lesson plans, activities, and resources, making it turnkey for teachers and program leaders.
What We Delivered:
- Instructional Design & Curriculum Development – Standards-aligned, grade-appropriate modules linking clean energy topics to real-world careers.
- Hands-On Learning Activities – Interactive kits designed to make abstract energy concepts tangible.
- Educator-Ready Resources – Guides and slide decks, and digital materials to support seamless implementation.
- Career Awareness Integration – Clear connections between NYPA’s mission, STEM skills, and future workforce pathways.
The Results:
- Expanded Reach in EJ Communities: Delivered STEM curriculum to schools and after-school programs across New York, reaching students in underserved communities.
- Student Inspiration: Thousands of students gained exposure to clean energy concepts and careers in renewable technologies.
- Mission Alignment: The curriculum tied directly to NYPA’s goals of sustainability, innovation, and workforce readiness.
Why It Matters for Industry Leaders:
This partnership demonstrates how energy organizations can take a proactive role in shaping future talent pipelines while advancing equity and social responsibility. By investing in education, NYPA:
- Positioned itself as a leader in energy workforce development
- Strengthened community trust by bringing STEM resources to communities across New York State
- Built awareness of energy careers critical to the transition to a carbon-free future
- Met CSR goals with measurable classroom impact
Longwood High School Drones Project
Building a Local Drone Workforce Pipeline Through Education
The Challenge:
Haugland Group, a leader in energy and civil construction services, relies heavily on drone technology across its large-scale infrastructure projects. Recognizing the growing demand for skilled drone operators, they saw an opportunity to build a local talent pipeline.
Their Goal:
Create a pipeline of drone-certified talent by introducing students to real-world applications of drone technology before graduation, while equipping educators with the tools and training to integrate drones into core academic subjects.
The Solution:
WhyMaker partnered with the Haugland Group and Stony Brook University to design and deliver a comprehensive drone education program at Longwood High School. The program combined industry-aligned curriculum, hands-on instruction, and educator professional development to connect classroom learning directly to workforce needs.
What We Delivered:
Student Drone Certification Program
Designed and led a three-month after-school drone training program for 11th and 12th-grade students, preparing them to earn their FAA Part 107 Drone License and develop career-ready technical skills.
Industry-Aligned Curriculum
Developed curriculum grounded in real infrastructure use cases, giving students exposure to how drones are used in surveying, construction planning, and large-scale project operations.
Educator Professional Development
Provided hands-on training for Longwood High School teachers to integrate drone technology into existing coursework across math, science, art, and physical education.
What We Accomplished Together:
- 20 students earned FAA Part 107 Drone Licenses
- 10 educators trained to incorporate drones in their classrooms
- 6 project-based learning experiences launched across diverse subjects
Why This Work Matters for Industry Leaders:
This partnership shows what’s possible when education and industry align around real workforce needs.
Through WhyMaker’s program design and facilitation, this initiative:
- Created a local pipeline of licensed drone operators
- Gave students early access to high-demand technical skills
- Empowered educators to teach emerging technologies with confidence
- Strengthened community connections between schools, industry, and higher education
The result was more than a training program. It was a workforce-ready pathway that prepared students for real careers while helping industry leaders invest in the future talent their operations depend on.
