As we continue to see the conversation around the importance of STEAM education grow, Brooklyn Robot Foundry, an inclusive STEAM education brand dedicated to prioritizing diversity and empowerment, is thrilled to expand their offerings to new students as they announce the addition of three new franchisees in New York this year. These new additions mark a significant milestone towards the brand’s overarching mission of bringing accessible and inspiring robot-building programs to children of all backgrounds.

Brooklyn Robot Foundry already has two successful franchises in New York (Rochester and Manhattan East) in addition to their corporate location in Brooklyn. They also have franchisees in Fairfield County, CT and Philadelphia, PA. The new New York locations, all owned and operated by women, underscore the Foundry’s commitment to inclusivity and intersectionality in the tech and education spaces. The importance of representation is not lost on the brand, having been created by and led by an almost all-woman team, they have truly embodied their dedication to creating a more equitable STEAM environment, starting with their franchisees who are all minorities and/or women themselves. The Foundry’s expansion is a testament to its goal of ensuring every child, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, feels valued, inspired, and empowered to explore the world of robotics and STEAM.

Starting this Fall, Caroline Crilly will lead the charge in Williamsburg, Bushwick, Greenpoint, Maspeth, Bed-Stuy, Oceanhill, Glendale, Ridgewood, Middle Village, and Elmhurst. Living in New York for the last 15 years, she has a personal connection to the community as a parent and is eager to bring Brooklyn Robot Foundry’s programs to locals.

“It’s important that students have access to programs like The Foundry, so that they get exposed to STEAM concepts through joyful play experiences,” Crilly said. Reflecting on her own childhood, she added, “Growing up, I was very curious about math, science, and engineering, but because I was a girl, it wasn’t as fully embraced as it might have been if I was a boy. I hope to provide the space for little girls to explore STEAM in a way that I didn’t.”

Alison Khalaf launched her franchise in Brownstone Brooklyn, covering areas like Park Slope, Greenwood, and DUMBO this summer. Khalaf, whose son had attended Brooklyn Robot Foundry’s camps and birthday parties, is bringing years of experience managing an early childhood center to her new role as a franchisee.

“I love working with kids, and I feel like running the childcare center definitely prepared me for my first foray into franchising,” Khalaf said. “Robots and AI are here to stay, so kids might as well get comfortable with them and learn how they work from an early age. I’m excited to combine the fun of robots with inspiring creativity and learning how to build out of everyday objects.”

This Fall, Carmen Tsang will open the doors to her Brooklyn Robot Foundry franchise in Downtown Manhattan. With over 20 years of corporate experience and a deep-rooted connection to her community, Tsang is excited to make an impact locally.

Carmen spoke on her entrepreneurial dreams with The Foundry, “I hope to bring my community jobs, a sense of purpose, and most importantly, something for the kids to learn and have fun with. Downtown Manhattan is a great market with high-value audiences searching for an educational program like Brooklyn Robot Foundry. One day, I hope to bring The Foundry international, but for now, I’m happy to be making a difference in the community I’ve known and loved for 15 years.”

With the addition of these three new franchises, Brooklyn Robot Foundry is well on its way to achieving its goal of operating 12 franchises by the end of 2024. The brand is eager to continue expanding, introducing the power of STEAM to more children across the country, starting with their home-state, New York.

“Not only is there a huge need for access to this kind of education and tech on a community-wide level, but there is a huge need for intersectionality in these spaces as it relates to women and minority-owned businesses in robotics and engineering in general,” said Jenny Young, CEO and founder of Brooklyn Robot Foundry. “Alison, Caroline, and Carmen have vastly different life experiences and career paths, all of which will serve them well in providing crucial, hands-on STEAM experiences to local students. These women will serve as examples to the students and show them that they can accomplish and be anything they want to be.”

The urgency of Brooklyn Robot Foundry’s mission is underscored by findings from the State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2022 report, which revealed a lack of improvement in math scores from 2007 to 2019 in New York. Despite the state’s status as one of the most educated in the nation, this lack of progress in math proficiency highlights the ongoing need to prioritize comprehensive STEAM education. Brooklyn Robot Foundry is dedicated to equipping students with the critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Founded by Jenny Young, a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur, Brooklyn Robot Foundry has been offering creative robot-building programs for children and adults in New York City since 2011. The brand launched its franchise opportunities in late 2022 and currently operates one corporate-owned location in Brooklyn, NY, and five franchise locations across Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania. The Foundry is committed to doing their part to ensure that children throughout the country have the representation in STEAM classes that inspire and encourage them to pursue their passions. The addition of Carmen, Alison and Caroline to the Brooklyn Robot Foundry team are invaluable assets as the brand fights to create a more equitable and diverse STEAM space.