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

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!

Engineering for Kids Featured in Nashville Business Journal

Engineering for kids was recently featured in the Nashville Business Journal in an article titled, "New kids' enrichment program focuses on science, tech, engineering, math".

The article is a Q&A with franchisee Neeti Agarwal about her Engineering For Kids in Nashville.  Neeti explains her background, how she got started with Engineering for Kids, some details about what Engineering for Kids offers, and her plans for the future.  The article also provides contact information for her location and some details about our franchise system.

Click HERE to read the full article with subscription or begin reading below:

New kids' enrichment program focuses on science, tech, engineering, math

Neeti Agarwal is owner of Engineering for Kids of Nashville (2206 Husker Court, Brentwood; 615-261-9937; www.engineeringforkids.net/location/nashville). She opened the business March 1. The organization offers after-school programs, camps, evening classes, in-school field trips, workshops and other activities for children ages 4 to 14. It is one of 15 franchises of Fredericksburg, Va.-based Engineering for Kids.

Please explain your background and how you came to launch this business. I am an electrical engineer, with more than 12 years of digital business analytics experience. I came across Engineering for Kids when I was researching after-school programs that teach the STEM (science, ...

Franchisee Spotlight: Hitesh and Neha Shah

For married couple Hitesh and Neha Shah, engineering is in their blood. So when they heard about Engineering for Kids from CNN, something really clicked. Working in the IT industry, Hitesh has the industry ingrained in his profession, but for Neha, the curriculum focusing on the different activities and her enthusiasm for teaching, helped shape their desire to start the location.

Hitesh completed his bachelors and masters in computer science and Neha was looking for something which would bring enrichment to kids’ lives, something more than the regular math and science teaching, but do it in a fun way.

Deciding to pursue, Hitesh and Neha are currently looking for a place to conduct summer camp activities and learn a lot about teaching at the same time.

How did you learn about the brand?

We read about Engineering for Kids on CNN Money – and thought, “This is something we can do.” I then went to the website and began looking at all the programs.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Engineering for Kids?

We chose the opportunity because it’s all about the programs. We’re in the corner of three counties, so we have room for growth. We wanted something we could work into our lifestyle but getting something out of it ourselves.

Where will you conduct the summer camps?

We’re starting in community centers for July and August timing. We are in the process of figuring out the schedule.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

Getting into franchising, finding the right brand for us, finding about QuickBooks, and the best way to approach community centers, have all been pretty challenging to figure out the most efficient manner possible.

Who will teach classes?

Neha: I will teach the classes with another teacher who we signed up to volunteer for the summer camps. We may hire more, but I need to know the curriculum to teach the curriculum first, before we hire. That’s all part of this learning process for us.

Right now, we want to go for aerospace and Lego-Robotics or Mechanical as another option.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Engineering for Kids?

Right now, we want to go into our county and see how it goes with summer camps, and then schools after. We want to open an actual learning center with a physical address a couple years down the line.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

Hitesh is passionate about photography and he is a freelance photographer, and Neha likes to listen to music and likes to be with nature. We like going for walks and doing outdoors activities with our kids.

Franchisee Spotlight: Javier Garay

Javier Garay, 34 years old, was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New Orleans when he was seven and had to go through the first part of his schooling without speaking English, something he recalls vividly. His father was a chemical engineer at Dow Chemical and he also has an older brother and younger sister. Javier went to Harvard University majoring in economics (older brother also went to Harvard and younger sister went to Yale) and took a job with Merrill Lynch as a hedge fund trader. After six years, Javier decided to go to business school and went to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, earning an MBA in entrepreneurship. Most recently, Javier worked with Stevens Capital Management until the fourth quarter of 2012 before deciding to make a move to pursue something on his own. Despite his great successes, he wanted to cultivate his passion for children and learning, so he reached out to Dori Roberts, owner of Engineering For Kids.

The idea to start an Engineering for Kids franchise came to him in 2011 when his oldest son turned two and received a flashlight for his birthday. As his son played with the flashlight, discovering all of its parts, the link between engineering and education dawned on him. He fondly calls this the “flashlight incident.” Javier understands that children are natural born engineers who have unlimited imaginations and unbridled enthusiasm. He is passionate about helping children tap into their potential by exposing them to the role that engineers play in our daily lives. Javier speaks fluent Spanish, has been married for nine years and has three children.

How did you learn about the brand? I was looking online for entrepreneurial ideas that I could do with my son and came across the organization.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Engineering For Kids? It really was the flashlight incident. It was a moment that made me think, “Alright let’s go find something.” And when I found EFK and discovered it was a franchise, it was a good fit for me.

I am currently teaching at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA and have secured space there in July for summer camps.  I will also be holding camps this summer at the Horsham Township Community Center in July and August. Long-term, I am planning to place registration on my EFK website and expand to other schools, libraries and community centers in my territory. There are well over 200 schools in my area and I hope to be able to service all of them. I currently teach on Mondays and Thursdays and I am making the preparations for summer camps this summer.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business? I am just getting underway, but I did meet with the head of the local township chamber of commerce.  I also hope to get involved with the local rotary club and was invited over there for weekly meetings. Getting more involved with the community is one of my next goals.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now? The biggest hurdle for me has been taking that leap and being self-employed after having a successful career on Wall Street for so many years. With a relatively young family it was definitely a tough decision, but luckily my wife and I have been able to make it work as she remains employed as well.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions? All of my waking hours are spent being a dad, but I love spending time with my family. I’m also an avid traveler and have been to over 35 countries in my life, not near as high as my wife who has been to over 50 countries.

Engineering for Kids featured in the Anne Arundel Patch.

Engineering for Kids was recently featured in the Anne Arundel Patch in an article titled, "Young Engineers Building Sky-High Futures".

The article details Lauren Rakvic’s new Engineering for Kids business in Anne Arundel County, the brands concept, and how it helps and effects local students in the STEM fields. The article also features a video in which Rakvic discusses the weekly activities of the classes. The children talk about what they've been learning and the careers they've been inspired to reach for. 

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Young Engineers Building Sky-High Futures

By: Brian Hooks

A program called Engineering for Kids is helping young people apply their math and science knowledge to fun educational projects.

Abby Reed is wrapping up second grade this week, but she already has hopes to get into the same line of work as her dad.

When asked about where she might like to work, she smiled at her dad.

"Um, maybe NASA," she said.

Engineering for Kids Featured in The Capital Gazette

Engineering for Kids was recently featured in The Capital Gazette in an article titled, "Young engineers: New Anne Arundel businesses target math, science education". 

Lauren Rakvic discussed her background, and why she specifically wanted to bring the brand to the area. She also discussed how her new business is focusing on getting students in the science, technology and engineering fields, and her development plans for the Anne Arundel County area. Engineering for Kids founder Dori Roberts also discussed her background, the Engineering for Kids concept, and the development plans for the Anne Arundel County area.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Young engineers: New Anne Arundel businesses target math, science education

By: Shantee Woodards

Julie Grignon noticed her sons’ early interest in building things, and she hoped it would lead to a career in engineering.

But her boys are 9 and 5, so she thought he best thing she could do was sign them up for a program that banked on these skills. So the older Matteo and younger Luca will spend the summer playing with LEGOs at a new business that offers summer camps and programs geared toward Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“Both of them love LEGOs and love building,” said Grignon, an Arnold resident. “This is a great opportunity for them to explore and explore the scientific concepts around building.”

Franchisee Spotlight: Neeti Agarwal

Neeti Agarwal and her husband are both engineers by trade, so when they heard about Engineeringfor Kids, they knew they could utilize their background to transition to this opportunity.

Neeti came to the United States 15 years ago with her husband to work in the engineering profession. Her husband is an industrial engineer and Neeti an electrical engineer who has been in the digital analytics business for Comscore for the past eight years. Before that, partly as a need to stay home to raise her kid, Neeti worked as a freelancer and consultant in the analytics business.

What do you have coming up to launch your Engineering for Kids business?

We have an open house planned for May 11 showcasing activities from our curriculum. We have hands-on activities planned for children such as designing and constructing rockets, roller coasters to robotics, and much more! 

How did you learn about the brand?

I have a 12-year-old daughter and was looking for after-school programs that can teach her Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics concepts through hands-on activities. I found EFK doing a Google search. Once I looked into the curriculum and program I knew it was a right fit for me.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Engineering for Kids?

I came to this country 15 years ago. This country has given me so much; I was looking for a way to give back to the community. I found the perfect opportunity through EFK. I love the curriculum. EFK makes learning fun.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

I recently worked with the middle Tennessee Girl Scouts on STEM stimulus day. I was there to talk about electrical engineers and did a small workshop on building a circuit from the EFK curriculum. I am looking forward to doing more outreach activities like this.

What will your staff be like when you offer the summer camps?

Right now, I have six part-time teachers and they’re going to teach the summer camps, but I’ll be there to supervise the EFK curriculum. Our teachers have a higher education background, whether currently in school, recently graduated, or seasoned educator; some are even Engineers! Each instructor goes through a national background check and complete training on our curriculum and classroom management. Our student teacher ratios are the lowest! 

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Engineering for Kids?

My end goal will be to collaborate with schools within Davidson and Williamson counties and offer the programs in partnership with them. I am considering adding more counties too.

What are some of the publications you read? Local? National? What is your goal publication with your business?

The Tennessean and other local papers in Nashville and surrounding areas would be good to be in. The Nashville Parent already covered a press release on me, and I advertised there.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I like to teach kids math and I also paint and cook a lot.