Curriculum Design and Campaign Strategy for a NYC Education Nonprofit

What: NY Sun Works is a NYC-based education nonprofit that builds hydroponic greenhouse classrooms in public schools, integrating STEM and sustainability education. As the program expanded to more than 130 classrooms, students were projected to harvest over 100,000 pounds of produce annually. While the greenhouses were central to science instruction, there was no curriculum addressing what happened after the food was grown and no clear narrative communicating the scale of its impact.

Goal: The objective was to deepen student learning and strengthen institutional positioning. Rather than allowing harvested produce to remain a by-product of instruction, the new curriculum reframed it as a catalyst for student leadership, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. At the same time, the campaign clarified the organization’s scale and impact, strengthening its fundraising efforts and supporting continued growth.

Notable: Studio Usher developed ‘100,000 lbs of Veggies! Now What?’, an action-driven workbook distributed across 130 classrooms citywide. The curriculum was organized into four pathways including student-run farm stands, greenhouse open houses, produce donations, and plant-based meals, translating sustainability education into tangible action.

Studio Usher wrote and secured a grant to fund the development of the campaign and workbook, advancing curriculum design while strengthening NY Sun Works’ nonprofit visibility. The result deepened classroom impact and elevated NY Sun Works’ presence with administrators, funders, and community partners.