Engineering For Kids Honored as a Top 10 New Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2015

Contact: Mike Cavanaugh, VP of Marketing
(540) 940-2910

Engineering For Kids is Ranked in the Top 10 of Entrepreneur Magazine's Top New Franchises

Fredericksburg, Virginia-Engineering For Kids, based in Fredericksburg, VA, has been honored to be listed in the top 10 of Entrepreneur Magazine's Top 75 New Franchises.  Engineering For Kids was also honored as the top educational franchise in the list.
"We are excited to have reached this milestone in such a short time", said CEO Dori Roberts, “To be honored as a Top 10 new franchise is exciting, and is a testament to the dedication of our franchise owners and staff.” 

Since beginning her business in 2009 and selling her first franchise in 2011, Dori Roberts, a former high school technology teacher, has seen her company grow from a handful of franchise locations to over 120 locations worldwide.  Roberts, who has appeared in The Huffington Post, Fox News Business and Marie Claire, is excited about the rapid growth of her company. “I’m thrilled that our programs have reached tens of thousands of students in just a few years, and I envision us growing and inspiring even more young engineers in the years to come”, Roberts stated.

About Engineering For Kids

Today, Engineering For Kids offers a full catalog of programs for children ages 4 to 14, introducing them to a wide variety of science, mathematical and engineering concepts through an engaging and hands-on approach.  Offerings include: after-school and pre-school programs, evening classes, in-school field trips, workshops, birthday parties, home-school groups, scouts workshops, and corporate events.

Examples of program topics within Engineering For Kids include Aerospace, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering.  The company also offers several robotics and high-tech programs, such as Software Engineering and Electronic Game Design.

For more information about Engineering For Kids programs in the area, or information about becoming a Engineering For Kids franchise owner, visit www.engineeringforkids.com.# # #

Engineering For Kids on Shaw TV

Engineering For Kids featured on Arizona's Local NBC

Engineering For Kids: Inspiring The Next Generation of Engineers

Engineering For Kids brings science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), to kids ages 4 to 14 in a fun and challenging way through classes, camps, clubs, and parties. We are proud to inspire children to build on their natural curiosity by teaching engineering concepts through hands-on learning. Engineering is, after all, one of the fastest growing industries in the world!

Engineering For Kids: Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers from Engineering For Kids

EFK Franchisee Featured in AZCentral Article

Engineering For Kids' Ron Hoagland was featured in an azcentral article. Ron talks about how he got involved with Engineering For Kids and how he helps to improve the local community.


Aaron Rop, The Republic | azcentral.com

A summer camp in Arizona might sound like a long day under the sun with the reward of exhaustion and sweat-stained clothes.

With Ron Hoagland's summer camp, though, Southeast Valley kids can have fun designing video games, building robots or simply learning how the world works.

Hoagland is the owner and director of Engineering for Kids' East Valley division. Engineering for Kids was started by CEO Dori Roberts, a former high-school teacher, who developed an after-school program into a successful STEM program for all demographics.

Roberts started franchising her business in 2009, Hoagland says, and Hoagland bought the first franchise in Arizona in July last year. The program is in 26 states and four countries.

Hoagland says he always wanted to own his own business and have it be positive, bringing something new to the community. Coming from a sales and marketing background, he says he didn't know much about STEM or engineering, but he did research on education in the U.S. compared with other countries and found there was a need to spark kids' interest in engineering because U.S. public schools are lagging.

"Technology is moving so fast now," Hoagland said. "So, if we don't get these kids going now, it's scary to think where this country might be in 20 to 30 years. … We've been on top as the world's leader of innovation for decades and decades, but that's not guaranteed, especially if we are not addressing the education situation in the U.S. Schools are cutting back on programs all the time, so there is a need for people to come in and provide that opportunity."

...Read More

Engineering For Kids has announced it's 100th Franchise!

Engineering For Kids has announced it's 100th franchise and could not be more proud. Their enthusiasm for STEM Education has spread across the nation and even to a few other countries! Check out the article below from franchising.com.

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Fredericksburg, VA (PRWEB) May 19, 2014 - Engineering For Kids, the beloved science, technology, engineering, and math program, is excited to announce that the company has awarded its 100th franchise. The newest franchise, located in Lakeland, Florida, marks an achievement that has surpassed the expectations set by CEO Dori Roberts, "This has been an amazing accomplishment that was unexpected in less than three years of franchising. We are very proud of our franchisees who are inspiring the next generation of engineers." Engineering For Kids is now inspiring in 26 states and 9 different countries. 

Founded in July of 2009, Engineering For Kids first began offering its programs to young engineers in Northern Virginia. Dori Roberts decided that the best way to inspire the next generation on a global scale was through the franchise platform. The first Engineering For Kids franchise was awarded in December of 2011 and the 100th agreement was signed in April 2014. In 2013, Engineering For Kids increased system sales by 351.3%. With ever-increasing revenues, Engineering For Kids is excited to expand into new regions and inspire the next generation of engineers all over the world.

Read More

CEO Dori Roberts Named One of Washington's Top Female Business Leaders  

"Washington SmartCEO has named the founder and CEO of Stafford County-based Engineering for Kids as one of the Washington area’s top female business leaders. Dori Roberts was one of 32 women selected for the 2014 Brava! Award." -Fredericksburg.com

Article Link

Engineering For Kids featured on 2 KASA This Morning

Engineering For Kids of New Mexico franchisee, Michael Cumbo, was featured on 2 KASA This Morning, Albuquerque. The segment shows Michael talking about Engineering For Kids can offer, as well as the importance of getting more girls involved and interested in STEM education. 

Click here to view the segment or view below: 

Engineering For Kids in The News-Herald

Engineering For Kids has been featured in The News-Herald in an article titled, "STEM franchisee looks to partner with area schools." The article talks about how Alyssa Choraszewski, who covers the Dearborn and Downriver areas, is interested in bringing engineering education to local schools. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

STEM franchisee looks to partner with area schools
By: Laura Zoochi 

While the headquarters of Engineering for Kids might be in Virginia, a franchisee is interested in bringing after-school engineering education to students in the Downriver and Dearborn areas.

Alyssa Choraszewski said her Farmington-based franchise business focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM, education. She said it focuses mainly on engineering because a lot of STEM programs only put a focus on math and science.

The program is for children ages 4 to 14 and involves a series of after-school programs including workshops, parties and assemblies. The educational learning is divided by ages 4 to 6 and 7 to 14.

(Read More) 

Engineering For Kids Featured in Phoenix Business Journal

Engineering For Kids featured in Phoenix Business Journal  in an article titled, "Engineering education franchise company landing in East Valley." The article also talks about how Engineering for Kids is looking to help bridge the gap between what students are learning and how that can apply to real life. In addition, it talks about how Ron Hoagland always wanted to run his own business and bring something valuable to the community. Furthermore, the article talks about how all of the Engineering for Kids programs meet national standards for STEM education and are aligned with Arizona’s common core standards. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Engineering education franchise company landing in East Valley
By: Angela Gonzales 

Engineering for Kids — a Virginia education franchising company — has expanded into the Phoenix area.

The Fredericksburg, Va.-based company offers science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM programs to children ages four through 14 via classes, camps, clubs and parties.

Ron Hoagland, the program director for East Valley Engineering for Kids, said his franchise territory covers several parts of the East Valley, including Ahwatukee, Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

“Kids in general are naturally curious how things work,” Hoagland said. “A lot of times they don’t really understand that math and science are a part of that.”

(Read More) 

Engineering For Kids Featured in Ahwatukee Foothill News

Engineering For Kids featured in Ahwatukee Foothill News in an article titled, "New Program gives kids a glimpse at engineering." The article begins with some details about Engineering For Kids and how Founder and CEO Dori Roberts noticed the interest her own young children had in engineering at a young age, which led to the founding of EFK. The article then provides information about Ron and Lan’s Engineering For Kids in Ahwatukee Foothills and a quote from Ron talking about how they’re hoping to inspire young minds in Arizona. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

New Program gives kids a glimpse at engineering
By: Allison Hurtado

Think a preschooler can’t understand engineering? One new company in Ahwatukee Foothills is out to prove they can.

Engineering for Kids is an after-school program for ages 4 to 14 that teaches engineering skills to kids through hands-on experiences with robots; airplanes and rockets; solids, liquids and solutions; plants; toys; roller coasters; LEGOS; and even video games, in hopes that they might begin thinking more critically and maybe some day even consider engineering as a career.

It may seem like a stretch to imagine young kids doing the same things aerospace and chemical engineers do, but Engineering for Kids founder and CEO Dori Roberts said it came naturally for her own young kids and that’s why she felt inspired to share it.

(Read More) 

Engineering For Kids featured in The Huffington Post

Engineering For Kids featured in The Huffington Post in an article titled, "Women in Business: Q&A with Dori Roberts, CEO and Founder of Engineering for Kids." The article is about Dori as a leader in franchising and education. Dori elaborates on maintaining a work/life balance and issues for women in the workplace. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Women in Business: Q&A with Dori Roberts, CEO and Founder of Engineering for Kids
By: Laura Dunn

Engineering for Kids comes from the mind of educator Dori Roberts. With an extensive educational background in math and technology education, Roberts taught engineering at the high school level for 11 years. During her teaching career, she saw a dire need for math, science and engineering programs. To fill this void, she started an afterschool club that participated in various engineering and science-based competitions.

After membership hit 180 students and the group won multiple state championships, she decided to tailor the program and apply it to a wider age demographic. Engineering for Kids offers a suite of programs for children ages 4 to 14 introducing them to science, technology, engineering and math through a variety of workshops all aimed at developing problem solving skills.

(Read More)

Engineering for Kids in the Queens Chronicle

Engineering for Kids in the Queens Chronicle in an article titled, "Boro youth show off engineering skills." The article begins with some details about the Saturday classes offered by De and Lupita Chen and how it’s making kids excited to learn the STEM fields. The article goes into detail about the specific egg drop activity that took place during this particular session, and how the kids engineered their egg vessels. The article then gives more information about Engineering for Kids, how it supplements STEM education, and ends with information about the future of the Chens’ program. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Boro youth show off engineering skills
By: Domenick Rafter

It’s Saturday morning in Jackson Heights. Outside the Renaissance Charter School at 81st Street and 37th Avenue, young children begin filing into the facility for class.

But there is little resistance to going into a classroom at 10 a.m. on a weekend. Instead, these kids, who range in age from 6 to 13, are excited and anticipatory.

Lupita Chen, one of their two instructors, tells a parent the plan for today.

“They’re going to develop protective packaging for eggs and drop them from different heights,” she said. “The kids are going to have fun with it.”

(Read More)

Engineering For Kids on Daily Worth

Engineering For Kids on Daily Worth in an article titled, "How We Turned Our Passions Into Profits." The article is a compilation of stories from women who turned their passion into a business. Dori is the third woman featured and talks about how Dori founded Engineering For Kids, details about the business, and how Dori continues to stay passionate about providing STEM education to the next generation of engineers.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

How We Turned Our Passions Into Profits

By: Nancy Mann Jackson

Dori Roberts, 39, Stafford, Va.

Her passion: A mother and a teacher, Dori Roberts is passionate about education — specifically, science, technology, engineering and math, also known as STEM subjects. Frustrated about the lack of STEM education available for her students and her ownchildren, Roberts started an after-school club to give them more exposure to math, science and engineering.

Turning it into a business: The after-school STEM club was so popular and grew so much that Roberts turned it into a business in 2009. Engineering for Kids provides enrichment programs to children ages 4 to 14 through preschool programs, after-school classes, workshops, in school field trips and birthday parties. Children learn engineering concepts and problem solving through hands-on activities such as LEGO robotics, designing and building rockets and developing their own electronic games.

Finding success: After starting with one location in Stafford, Va., Roberts has built the business into 84 franchised locations across the country.

Maintaining the passion: “The children inspire me,” Roberts says. “I am always looking for new ways to inspire the next generation ofengineers. This is where my passion comes from.”

(Read More)

Engineering for Kids in Entrepreneur Magazine

Engineering for Kids in Entrepreneur Magazine in an article titled, "Intel Engineer Shares Her Passion With the Next Generation." The article talks focused on Shu-ling Garver, a native of China, who came to the U.S. in 1986 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from a university in Shanghai. Once arriving in the United States, she received both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science and Engineering. Garver has worked for Intel since 1989 as an engineering manager and marketing manager enabling the industry with Intel Architecture. At Intel, she also dedicated herself to engaging female engineers, mentoring them and getting young girls involved in the industry. With this background, becoming an owner for Engineering for Kids was a perfect fit.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Intel Engineer Shares Her Passion With the Next Generation

By: Jason Dailey

When Shu-ling Garver was growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, opportunity was not a word she understood. Her father, an English teacher by profession, was labeled a political enemy and forced to dig tunnels. The family lived in a Shanghai back alley. It was a terrible time, but the little girl studied hard and learned English from her father and the radio.

Garver appeared to have no chance of making it out of the slums. But when she turned 17, she was surprised to learn that she was allowed to apply for college. After completing two years at a technical school in Shanghai, she transferred to Portland State University in Oregon, where she graduated in 1989 with a degree in computer science. She was recruited by Intel and has been working for the chip manufacturer ever since.

(Read More)

Allentown Engineering For Kids in The Messenger-Press

Engineering For Kids featured in The Messenger-Press in an article titled, "After-school program helps to encourage engineering." The article focuses on how Engineering for Kids in Central Jersey – Mercer and Monmouth Counties offers enrichment programs for children ages 4-14 at Stonebridge Middle School in Allentown. The article also talks about the Lego Robotics Olympiad program that is offered at the middle school and the different Olympic games that the children play with them. Furthermore, the article talks about how Neha looks to add more after school programs in the area next year and to get local children into robotic competitions.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

After-school program helps to encourage engineering

By: Amy Batista

ALLENTOWN — A new program is being offered in summer camps and after-school programs where kids can discover the world of engineering and have fun in the process.

”Engineering for Kids” is an enrichment program offered for children ages 4 -14 at Stonebridge Middle School in Allentown and Millstone Elementary School.

The Fredericksburg, Virgina-based program is typically six to eight weeks long and can range from an hour to hour and half in length.

The program is part of national franchise offering a range of learning-based classes including after-school programs, camps, evening classes, in-school field trips, workshops and birthday parties.

(Read More)

Engineering For Kids in The Southern Illinoisan

Engineering For Kids in The Southern Illinoisan in an article titled, "Business focuses on teaching kids about engineering." The article focuses on how Engineering for Kids is looking to expand across the state of Illinois and about the first location opening in Naperville. The article also talks about how Dori began her business in 2009 and expanded the Engineering for Kids to 22 states and three international locations since 2009. Furthermore, Chris LeBreck talks about the excellent opportunity in being a franchisee, and how him and his wife were looking for an educational focused business in Naperville to open up. Overall, the article describes what Engineering for Kids is and what the brand could offer to communities in Southern Illinois.  Click here for the entire story or begin below.

Business focuses on teaching kids about engineering

By: Scott Fitzgerald

A business designed to enhance student interest in engineering is looking to expand in Illinois by way of franchising. 

“We have several prospects from Illinois across the state. Once we opened one location in Naperville, word gets out. It kind of grows organically,” said founder/owner Dori Roberts of Engineering for Kids, an enrichment program for students ages 4 through 14 that offers a curriculum program during afterschool hours and summers.

(Read More)

Engineering For Kids launches Structures We Love Contest!

Send us photos of you and monuments, bridges, or landscapes from your travels into our Structures We Love contest here: http://bit.ly/EFKLove! Enter to win this and more: http://bit.ly/184IHSL

Engineering for Kids in Kaufman Herald

Engineering for Kids was featured in Kaufman Herald in an article titled, "National science program coming to Kaufman." The article started with Dori Roberts talking about her background and the need for starting this business, as well as what people can expect from the brand. Dori spoke about her goals for Engineering for Kids, how quickly the company has expanded and the success that she has seen since she first created EFK. Jo Patel was also interviewed and spoke about how she got involved with Engineering for Kids. She also touched on her plans for expanding the programs into schools in the Kaufman area and about her demo days that she offers once a month at the Perot Museum.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

National science program coming to Kaufman

By: Bobby Lewis

In 2000, Virginia high school teacher Dori Roberts began an after-school club called the Technology Student Association that participated in various engineering and science-based competitions. The group's membership eventually swelled to 180 students and Engineering for Kids was born. 

“I tried to make the club fun, as well as competitive and that really appealed to a lot of students,” said Roberts, who is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Engineering for Kids.

(Read More)

Engineering for Kids featured on FOX Business Network: Money with Melissa Francis

Engineering for Kids was featured on Fox Business' Money with Melissa Francis. The segment highlighted Engineering for Kids' own Dori Roberts where she discussed the importance of STEM education and building the foundation needed after graduating college to be competitive in today’s global job landscape. Tune in below or click here for a clip!