WELCOME TO THE LITTLE ENGINEER
Today, The Little Engineer has become education institution with both business to business and business to client channels. The emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics is conveyed by specially tailored hands-on learning activities that allow kids and teens to unleash their full potential in pre-engineering skills while focusing on robotics, coding, renewable energies, aviation, automotive and space industries, Internet of things, Artificial intelligence, 3D modelling and much more. Currently we are collaborating with ministries of education in the MENA region, Africa and the USA in hopes of bridging the gap between theory and practice & schools and universities. By doing so we are allowing for a new generation of engineers that are not only ready for the labour market, but are passionate enough to give back to the wounded world.
MISSION
We aim to invest in young minds and enable them to unleash their full potential in STEM concepts, trough proven hands-on/minds on learning workshops and courses. We aspire to bridge the gap between theory and practice, between schools and universities. Moreover, we strive to cultivate today’s talents and mold them into future pioneers to be ready for the fourth industrial revolution.
VISION
The Little Engineer is expanding locally, regionally and globally to become among the leaders in delivering products, services and class solutions for schools in the STEM field, while exposing the largest number if kids, teens and educators to the latest innovations and technological tools needed to excel in this broad field.
VALUES
We believe in knowledge that can impact our society. Our values serve as a compass for our modus operandi and define our whole approach to the world.
- Leadership: The courage to shape a better future
- Collaboration: Leverage collective genius
- Integrity: Adhere to moral and ethical principles
- Accountability: Responsibility for actions and decisions
- Passion: Committed in heart and mind
- ity: Heterogeneous and all-inclusive as our curriculum
- Quality: When we do it we do it right
“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”
Our Main Principles will always be to Empower Communities locally and regionally by partnering with NGOs and the public sector Inspire Motivation, Stimulate Creativity, Manage Talents, Cultivate Concentration and Perseverance, Encourage Teamwork, Develop the Skills of Trainers in private public and vocational schools, Students, Tech-Enthusiasts and more. That is our Promise.
AWARDS
For The Little Engineer initiative and business plan, Rana was recognized as one of MENA’s most promising entrepreneurs in 2009 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She was awarded the “Coup de Coeur Femme” by Medventures for the Mediterranean in 2010. In 2011, she was selected for the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program and won the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award for the MENA region. In 2012 Rana won the Green Mind Award and in 2013, The Little Engineer signed a strategic partnership with Airbus Middle East to deliver regional workshops for youth. In 2016, she partnered with Airbus Foundation to expand her social programs at the global level starting in Africa. She is a VV GROW fellow and was part of VV100 in 2016. In May 2017, she participated in the global Ambassador program in Charlotte and she was selected by the Department of States of America to participate in Techwomen Program in the Silicon Valley in September 2017.
Rana is committed to being a voice of change in the Arab world by investing in young minds and preparing future leaders for the challenges. At the same time, she is working to empower women in her community, country, and around the world.
SUCCESS STORY
Rana Chemaitelly, instructor in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at the American University of Beirut, teaching in the Mechanical and Engineering Management Department, a mother of three kids decided to launch the Little Engineer venture in Beirut, with the aim to protect her 3 kids and the future generation, from being addicted to the TV, Internet, Electronic games (PSP, Nintendo, Wii….)
“I believe that I can at least distract my kids for few hours in the week, away from electronic games, entertaining them with some educational and environmental activities, to prepare them to meet the challenges of the future. Today they can be students in the center, few years from now, in their teenage years, they will join The Little Engineer as facilitators for younger students. Nothing to lose as far as I have the will, the funds, the leadership and the initiative to convert the dream to reality, and I always say “When there is a will there is a way”.
Let us give the Lebanese Kids and Teens the chance to express themselves, show their hidden skills and compete with others in worldwide competitions.
The Little Engineer concept was conceived March 2009, and was tested in July 2009 by launching a summer activity, a six-week program. Kids enrolling in one of our programs were visiting us once per week, for 3 hours each time for six weeks.
It is truly our pleasure to enhance the child’s awareness of new technologies and encourage the creative growth in exploring the various possibilities offered by the engineering field. Today, The Little Engineer provides Summer and after-school activities that supplement the traditional learning environment. It offers an open space where children can have fun while building skills like creativity and problem solving – skills that are not necessarily addressed in the classroom. The Little Engineer guarantees a friendly atmosphere with qualified staff catering to small groups of children who work and play together at their own pace.
THE FOUNDER
Years ago, there was an evolving dream brewing inside of me. I am a Mechanical Engineer with Masters’ degree in Engineering Management. I was an instructor at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and I had a vision to guide our youth towards a better future, divert their attention from the trivialities of everyday life and stimulate their passion for Robotics and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). I was infused with a burning desire to present those topics in an entertaining and engaging way through courses, activities and workshops that would motivate a new generation and in turn make their dreams come true. I wanted people from different cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities and areas to have complete access to STEM. I was aware that the only way to improve people’s lives was through education and inspiration. Yet, I realized as it once was said: “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” Although those were qualities I possessed, I still needed a supportive catalyst that would help my ambitions come to fruition. This is where MIT came in. They believed and invested in me. The Little Engineer (TLE) was born and its pioneering presence has now been established in Lebanon and abroad. The dream has become a reality but it does not end here. We are always expanding, introducing and delivering cutting-edge engineering courses and activities, space and aviation workshops to the four corners of Lebanon and internationally. Furthermore, through The Lifetime Education Foundation (TLEF), we are developing educational, humanitarian and environmental programs that seek the welfare and progress of communities. Our main principles will always be to empower communities locally and regionally by partnering with NGOs and the public sector,inspire motivation, stimulate creativity, manage talents, cultivate concentration and perseverance, encourage teamwork, develop the skills of trainers in private public and vocational schools, students, tech-enthusiasts and more. That is our promise. Rana El Chemaitelly, Founder and CEO of The Little Engineer .