Sphero + Minneapolis Public Schools

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

Let's Build a Custom Program for Your Solution

Whether you're launching a STEM platform, robotics tool, or career-aligned curriculum, WhyMaker ensures it has a lasting impact in K–12 classrooms.