Battling robots. Launching rockets. Video game design. Does all this sound like something your kids would be interested in?
How about you, too?
Welcome to Engineering For Kids. With locations throughout the U.S. and the world, Engineering For Kids provides STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) enrichment programs for children ages 4 to 14.
Kids participate in STEM-inspired activities like computer science, robotics and other fun, educational activities to pique their interest in engineering programs.
There are over 300 different lessons with diverse subject matter, including robotics, aerospace activities, chemical engineering, science experiments and even classes based on the popular online game, Minecraft.
With all this to offer, it’s no wonder why Engineering For Kids appeals to a variety of kids. Marketing Coordinator Bonnie Schule says, “We see all different ages. We have girls and boys.”
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“We like to encourage girls to get interested, especially because girls tend to be underrepresented in STEM. A lot of them have really taken to it.”
At the STEM Discovery Center in Woodbridge, fun runs all year round. Not only are programs scheduled throughout the school year, Engineering For Kids holds summer camps throughout the entire summer. There are 4 different camps running each week, two at the junior level and two at the apprentice level.
For working parents, they also offer after care, stretching the program to last throughout the workday. The camps are fun and engaging for children.
“It’s not like labored learning. They get so excited, they don’t know they are learning. They are having fun and learning some really cool stuff along the way,” said Schule.
Each week’s camp has a new topic, and the weekly prices apply for 6-weeks of camp. Half-day camp runs $165 per week, while full-day camp runs $300 per week. After camp discovery, from 3 to 5 p.m. daily, is $100 per week.
Camps are divided by junior camps, which are designed for ages 4 to 6, and apprentice/master camps, which are designed for ages 7 to 14. There are also STEM fun nights when parents can drop kids off for an activity priced at a flat rate.
There are also scholarship opportunities provided by The Engineering For Kids Foundation which was founded in 2014 to provide STEM education as an avenue to inspire children by offering hands-on, discipline-specific engineering activities for students. The foundation holds fundraising events, has a mentorship program and offers scholarships for students and teachers to increase interest in STEM-related fields.
For $100, families can send a child through their mentorship program. Franchise opportunities are available with Engineering For Kids, in the U.S. and beyond.
“Weare ideally looking for people passionate about engineering and STEM or working with kids,” said Schule.
Some franchise owners are teachers and engineers. The steps to ownership include an initial phone interview. Franchisee candidates will also do a discovery day, get a tour of the STEM Discovery Center and see lessons in action.
Schule says franchise ownership with Engineering For Kids offers flexibility. Many franchise owners don’t necessarily own a center or brick and mortar operation. They offer classes through after-school programs. Having a learning center is optional. But, she says, some owners do find benefit in having one.
To learn more about franchise opportunities, camps and programs, visit the Engineering For Kids website.
