Engineering For Kids on Shaw TV

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 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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, ...

Engineering for Kids Featured in The Marietta Daily Journal

Engineering for Kids was recently featured in The Marietta Daily Journal in an article titled, "STEM 'Engineering for Kids' program comes to Cobb".

The article includes information on the Engineering for Kids program and notes that Forbes considers engineering to be among the most promising paths for college students. Maureen Myrie notes that teaching a STEM-based program is going to be able to help prepare children for the global economy and says that most schools in the area are enthusiastic about Engineering for Kids.

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STEM "Engineering for Kids" program comes to Cobb
By: Sarah Chambers

Cobb County children ages 4 to 14 soon will have exposure to industries that Forbes magazine considers to be among the most promising for college students. 

Engineering for Kids, a nationwide series of programs and classes designed to teach children about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, often referred to as STEM, will begin offering after-school programs and classes in metro Atlanta elementary and middle schools this fall, according to Maureen Myrie of Austell, the overseer for Engineering for Kids’ metro Atlanta programs and classes. 

Franchisee Spotlight: Chris LeBreck of Naperville

Chris LeBreck grew up in Palatine, IL and lived there until he was 26. He then moved to Wisconsin where he spent about 20 years and moved back to Illinois in 2005 before opening up his own business called Airtastic Play Land in 2008. Airtastic Play Land is an open- play facility with four big party rooms and that’s where they will hold the EFK classes.

Chris has an electrical engineering degree from Northern Illinois University and graduated in 1984. He was in electronic manufacturing and worked for companies such as Honeywell, Northrop-Grumman, and Phillips where he got into the operating side of the business. He worked for Plexus and Sanmina – SCI in an operational role.

Why did you transition into the Airtastic opportunity?

My wife and I walked into a business in northern Wisconsin that was pretty similar, and it was that was our initial introduction to the possibility of having something like this in the future. I was at a point in my life where I could do something different. It ended up being a four year process before we opened, but we've been open for five years now. We bought the land and built the building to suit this type of business.

How did you learn about Engineering for Kids?

I saw it on the website, Franchise.com. We've been looking for something the last couple years, and it seemed to make sense for us.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Engineering for Kids?

We have about 8,000 families in our database to introduce to Engineering for Kids. Plus, this is a logical extension of our business offering and it really compliments the existing business we have. We do parties, and the fact EFK offers camps during the summer and classes during the school year was great for us. It allows us to better utilize the 17,500 square feet of space in the building.

Also, STEM is very big in Naperville, Aurora and the surrounding communities and the Engineering for Kids programs align well with the goals of the school districts’ STEM initiatives.

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

Over the last five years, we have partnered with a lot of schools and community organizations in the area. We've donated thousands of dollars in free play time over the years to help fund initiatives within the local schools.  Additionally, we've donated 10,000 pounds of food to the local food pantry and held numerous fundraising events for organizations such as the American Heart Association and Pancreatic Cancer Research.  

How will you operate your Engineering for Kids business?

I’m the operator, so right now I’m interviewing teachers to start classes when we open. My goal is to teach camps through the summer and go into the communities and open learning centers in all seven of the communities I own rights to.

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

The biggest challenge has been the economy. In 2008 when we opened, that was when it was at its worst. Just surviving the last five years has been the biggest challenge. Now we feel more comfortable because the economy is on the rebound, which has allowed us to invest in another business to compliment what we are already doing.

In the big scope of things, Naperville and Aurora have 140,000 people, so getting 50 to sign up should not be a stretch. I’d like 100-200 kids ideally. I literally have four centers of space available. I’ve received good feedback about EFK from people in the community so far.

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

Our goal is to have one or two learning centers in the seven communities we have. My goal is to start people at the Airtastic facility and move them to the other areas to run their own businesses.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I have three active boys in sports, so I am pretty involved with my kids’ activities. 

Engineering for Kids featured on MyCentralJersey.com

Engineering for Kids was recently featured on MyCentralJersey.com in an article titled, "Engineering for Kids".

The article explains the Engineering for Kids concept, and New Jersey franchise owner Rupesh Bharad notes that he is proud to inspire children to study STEM. He says the curriculum engages students with real-world engineering experiences and can harness the potential of the next generation. The article provides information about summer classes including hours and the website for registration.

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Engineering for kids

Summer camp, fall STEM programs now offered in Somerset County

By: Erica Lamberg

Engineering for Kids, a franchise in Somerset County, offers classes for children in the disciplines of civil, mechanical, aerospace, chemical and industrial engineering as well as robotics.

The classes aim to develop math and science skills. Summer camps are offered through the end of August and new courses begin in the fall.

“Engineering for Kids offers unique, fun-filled, educational programs,” said Rupesh Bharad, franchise owner. “We bring math, science, technology and engineering to children in a fun and challenging way through classes, camps, workshops, and birthday parties. We are proud to inspire children to build on their natural curiosity by teaching engineering concepts through hands-on learning.”

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.

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.

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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.

Engineering for Kids Reaches System-Wide Sales Increase of 124 Percent in Q1

Growing STEM Educator Begins 2013 Strong and Maintaining Goal of Adding 50-60 Locations This Year

Engineering for Kids, a 50-plus-unit Fredericksburg, Va.-based franchise offering a range of learning-based classes including after school programs, camps, evening classes, in-school field trips, workshops and even birthday parties, today announced a 124 percent system-wide sales increase in the first quarter of 2013. With expansion, the company has seven new openings in areas of the country including Tennessee, Maryland, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Texas and California.

Sales strength has allowed them to complete a total of 15 signings in the first quarter, further demonstrating the rate of growth the company has experienced thus far and helping to maintain the aggressive goal of adding 50 to 60 locations by the end of the year.

“As we have now had some time to get Engineering for Kids up and running, I am very encouraged by the rate of growth and actual expansion we have experienced to-date,” said Dori Roberts, Engineering for Kids’ founder and CEO. “What is interesting is although we are a relatively new company, our emphasis helps show strategic STEM-focused curriculum is a strong and lucrative topic for education. We started out on the East Coast, but are now really starting to expand. For anyone with a true passion for teaching the sciences, Engineering for Kids offers a great niche option.”

Engineering for Kids highlights not only the importance of learning engineering skills at a young age, but also the potential success children can have in engineering fields in the future, while not forgetting one of the most important features of learning – fun.

With 5,300 children enrolled across the network to-date, enrollment has never been higher and offers a suite of programs for children ages four to 14 that introduce them to science, technology, engineering and math through a variety of workshops all aimed at developing problem-solving skills.

In areas of the country where STEM education is particularly emphasized and where there is a strong base of IT and science-based jobs, success has been very high. For example, Juanita Leung, who runs the San Francisco Engineering for Kids, experienced 10 times the sales revenue for her first month compared to others’ first-month sales in the network.

“While Juanita’s story is only one example and cannot be assumed in all cases, we do see a correlation between the demand for engineering-based positions and stressing the importance of teaching the curriculum properly, and enthusiastically, at a young age,” Roberts added. “Time will tell as we continue to grow, but we are excited to see what developments come as we head into the next portion of 2013.”

With a franchising fee of $17,500 and a typical home-based franchise cost of $25,000 to $30,000, Engineering for Kids currently has over 56 locations spread throughout the United States that are in various forms of completion.

As a low-barrier opportunity with room to grow, Engineering for Kids franchisees have the option of taking their home-based franchise and eventually open a learning center, which are typically 1,200 square feet in size. An ideal franchisee is someone who is well connected in their community, a parent or an individual who has a passion for educating children.

“Our most successful franchisees are those who truly understand the need for supplemental education to elevate kids beyond the standards taught in public education,” explained Roberts. “These people see funding cuts and the gaps in curriculum at their own children’s schools and want to fill that need.”

Engineering for Kids also retains an active and engaging Facebook page featuring fun and informative information on engineering. ‘Like’ the page at www.facebook.com/engineeringforkids. 

Franchisee Spotlight: Patty Potts

Before starting her own Engineering for Kids franchise, Patty Potts worked in environmental and occupational health. Working primarily as the environmental and occupational health engineering specialist, Potts trained more than 1000 employees over the course of 10 years in this field.

How did you learn about the brand?

I really love science and I originally saw Engineering for Kids on a mommy blog on Facebook about a year ago. I have a six-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter and I’m always looking for things to do with them. As soon as I found out they were franchising I began looking into them.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Engineering for Kids?

This was something my kids could enjoy and that side of the business was very important to me. Also, I’m extremely passionate about science. I had looked at other concepts including a soup restaurant franchise and a toy store franchise, but Engineering for Kids was a much lower startup-cost option and I liked the fact that it could be home based.

What makes your business unique in the community?

The concept of Engineering for Kids and how we use problem solving to make kids engaged makes us not only unique in this community but across the country. With Engineering for Kids they want to learn about science and that’s important for future generations.

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

We give gift cards to the different PTA auctions and I am involved with the local food pantry as well.

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

We are looking right now to partner with the Smithsonian Institute. As part of our process to secure this opportunity we have to pick out one or two monuments or famous sites around DC and we have to reinforce the engineering ideas behind them. Also, this year I hope to have a storefront before summer in Alexandria, Virginia.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I love spending time with my kids and traveling, especially when we get to go places with snow! Being from Michigan, it’s always nice to share the snow and other things I did as a child with my own children. 

Engineering for Kids Featured in 1851 Magazine

Engineering for Kids was recently featured in 1851 Magazine online in an article titled, "Why is 2013 the Right Year to Franchise?"

The article features various franchisees who decided to sign on with their new business venture at the beginning of the year. One of the featured franchisees is Engineering for Kids San Francisco County franchisee Juanita Leung. Leung discusses how her family and children helped to influence her decision to enter an educational franchise field, and that the country's current standings in science and math helped her to choose Engineering for Kids.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Why is 2013 the Right Year to Franchise?

By: Greg Avdoian

Toward the closing of every year, people spend significant time with their families, causing them rethink their current career situation. In these cases, people think about new opportunities and enjoy a sense of optimism and intrigue, as they ponder career transitions by asking themselves ‘what if’ or ‘what’s next’ for the future.

In most cases, they are considering becoming a business owner to eliminate having a boss and be in control of their financial destiny. While opening a new business in any year is a challenge, 2013 has seen the growth of many new franchise locations, despite following some tough economic years. As the economy looks to improve, many budding entrepreneurs refuse to stay put and are taking the initiative to open their own business.