FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MakerKids Opens First Franchise in Toronto

Advances Canadian STEM Movement in Children’s Tech Education

April 23, 2019, Toronto, ON – MakerKids, the Canadian-based tech education company and first ever makerspace for kids in the world, expands its award-winning Robotics, Coding and Minecraft programs with its first franchise in Leaside, Toronto.

“We’ve had overwhelming interest from all over the world in our innovative curriculum and teaching philosophy that focuses on empowering children to develop real life skills and a positive relationship with technology,” says CEO Jennifer Turliuk, whose own childhood experience lead her to study at Singularity University at NASA and ultimately to the inception of MakerKids, and its first location in Bloor West. “Toronto is rapidly becoming a technology hub, our after-school programs, camps and parties are dedicated to giving kids the resources they need to participate in the digital world. We’re so excited to start our franchise journey in Leaside, a strong, family and education-focused community.”

MakerKids was the winner of the NextGen Franchising Global Competition at the International Franchise Association (IFA) Conference, selected amongst hundreds of entrepreneurs and startups around the world. It has since received hundreds of requests for franchises before selecting the first franchisee. “An educational trailblazer, I was drawn to MakerKids’ mission to empower the leaders of tomorrow with the skills and mindsets to change the world,” says Aimée Savard, Owner of MakerKids Leaside which is set to open this June. “Parents recognize the importance of exposure to STEM learning at an early age, particularly for girls, and we’re already seeing tons of children signed up for summer camps at MakerKids Leaside.”

MakerKids’ education model develops leaders, designers, engineers and citizens that are excited to face a new generation of challenges. Its programs have seen kids presenting their MakerKids projects on national TV, starting their own businesses with the skills they’ve learned and most importantly – improving their confidence, social skills, and engagement at school. Through expansion, MakerKids will now reach more communities, empowering and inspiring thousands of kids, a great step in furthering education and Canadian innovation in STEM. Carlos Contreras, Director of Education at Intel, says “I think that MakerKids is doing some outstanding things for kids. Let’s get more kids into making.”

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For more info, visit MakerKids.com , watch our video or follow us here FB, TW, Insta. For media inquiries, please contact:

Jennifer Turliuk

CEO, MakerKids
www.makerkids.com
416-385-3577 x 5
jenn@makerkids.com

Aimée Savard
Owner, MakerKids Leaside
www.makerkids.com/leaside
aimee@makerkids.com
416-486-6257

About MakerKids

Founded in 2010, MakerKids is the leading provider of STEM programs for kids designed and created by highly trained industry professionals and makers (engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers and speakers). MakerKids’ CEO Jennifer Turliuk is a graduate of Singularity University at NASA. The first makerspace for kids in the world, it has been named “Best Kids’ Workshops” (Toronto Life Magazine), Top 5 Kids’ Digital Tech Programs (BlogTO), Top 10 Awesome Birthday Parties (Today’s Parent), Summer Camp Recommended (Toronto Star), Reader’s Choice, Maker Faire 2017 Winner, NextGen Franchising Global Competition Winner, Telus Pitch Community Impact Award Winner and is Accredited by the Ontario Camps Association. It’s been featured on Breakfast Television, CTV, CBC, Wired, Forbes and more. Thousands of kids have taken MakerKids’ STEM programs in Coding, Robotics and Minecraft. MakerKids’ camps, after school and weekend programs and birthday parties empower children to be creators, not just consumers.

 

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