When Bellevue residents Bill and Eunice Tsai decided to take a sabbatical from their respective jobs last year, they had one goal: to spend more time with their kids – now four and six years old. But Bill, an architect, and Eunice, a pharmacist, were also looking for a new path.

“We always wanted to start a business,” Bill said. “And we wanted to do something related to kids.”

It’s for this reason they decided to become franchise owners of the first Engineering for Kids in King County when they returned.

Started in Fredericksburg, Va., by educator Dori Roberts, Engineering For Kids is a franchise offering a range of learning-based classes including after school programs, camps, evening classes, in-school field trips, workshops and birthday parties for kids ages 4-14. The Tsais plan to open a Bellevue location – one of nearly 60 locations throughout the United States – in September.

Roberts first came up with the idea to start Engineering For Kids while working as high school engineering teacher 11 years ago. When she realized how little her students new about engineering before taking her class, she decided to start the Science and Technology Student Association at her school. As interest grew, and the group’s membership hit 180 students, she decided to tailor the program and apply it to as many kids as possible.

“I saw the need for children to see what [engineering] is all about,” Roberts said.

Roberts was also interested in introducing her own young children to engineering – and worked to develop classes in aerospace, chemical, civil and industrial engineering for kids in elementary school.

Like Roberts, the Tsais saw the important of introducing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education to their children at a young age. Bill also cites their location on the Eastside as a strong factor in bringing Engineering For Kids to Washington.

“Bellevue has a lot of engineering-based businesses,” Bill said. “There’s a lot of interest from people here.”

The Tsais have already gone through training and secured a building on Northup Way. The first courses being offered at the Bellevue location this fall will include lessons in aerospace, chemical and mechanical engineering. The Tsais eventually plan to roll out courses in LEGO Robotics, as well as civil and marine engineering.

Although the learning center on Northup Way will serve as home base, Bill says a large aspect of owning an Engineering For Kids franchise is building relationships with local schools, so they can offer after school programs on site.

“We really want to grow the interest in STEM education in this area,” Bill said.