New York Power Authority (NYPA)

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