Engineering for Kids, Inc

Engineering For Kids Inc. was started by Dori Roberts in 2009. Dori has been teaching engineering for over eleven years. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Science Elementary/Middle School Education in 1997 and a Masters of Science degree in Technology Education in 2000.

While teaching at a local high school in Stafford, Virginia, Dori earned quite a reputation for herself and her students, as they won many awards as the school's Technology Student Association, with Dori as their advisor.

Every year, Dori and her students would compete in events in technology and engineering at the local, state, and national level. In 2007, she brought her five-year-old son, Matthew, and her seven-year-old daughter Kaley, along to a few of the competitions. Matthew and Kaley were mesmerized by all of the engineering projects created by Dori's high school students. They wanted to compete too! It was the experience that inspired her to start an engineering education program for kids.

When Dori asked Matthew if he knew what an engineer was, his response was one many children have. Someone who drives a train! He chimed. Once Dori explained to Matthew what engineers do, his response was a delighted, "Cool, I want to be an engineer!" Matthew and Kaley soon became the test subjects for Dori's curriculum. She took concepts she normally taught to her high school students and created hands-on activities and experiences for little hands. Matthew and Kaley loved the projects and wanted more! This inspired her to teach an after school engineering class at their elementary school. She was surprised to find out how quickly her class filled up. The first class Dori offered was a Civil Engineering class in which the students built model bridges. The feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive as they praised her ideas, and asked if she was going to offer engineering classes over the summer.

Dori started Engineering For Kids Inc. and began offering engineering summer camps, birthday parties, after-school programs, and evening classes at local community centers and schools.

What started as a passion, that passed on to her children has blossomed into an education business. Children are passionate about the basics of engineering. What Dori saw as a desire in her children has lead to an opportunity for educational desires of all children to be met.

What Engineering for Kids Offers...
We offer camps, after-school programs, evening classes, workshops, robotics clubs, in-school field trips, Scout programs, Home School programs, and birthday parties in various fields of engineering.

Training and Support:
Engineering For Kids offers 5 days of training at our headquarters in Stafford, Virginia, plus 2 days of training at your location. We also offer operations and program instructional manuals for each of our curriculum areas as well as on-going support.

Investment Options

Home based option:
This option allows you to work from home offering classes at local schools, community centers, recreation centers, etc.

• Total Investment: $38,000 to $69,000
• Franchise fee: $19,500
• Equipment and start-up supplies: $6,000 to $16,000
• Recommended working capital: $12,500 to $33,500

Retail location option:
Franchisees may opt to open a retail location to host their programs.

• Total Investment: $67,000 to $130,000
• Franchise fee: $19,500
• Equipment and start-up supplies: $10,000 to $20,000
• Leasehold Improvements: $17,000 to $40,000
• Recommended working capital: $20,500 to $50,500