About us
Empowering Young Minds to Engineer the Future
Inspiring Curiosity. Building Skills. Shaping Tomorrow.
Founded in 2009, The Little Engineer® is an award-winning STEM education organisation dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators, engineers and problem-solvers.
Who we are
Bridging the gap between theory and practice
Through innovative, hands-on learning experiences, we bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications — empowering children, teenagers and educators to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Our educational solutions cover robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, aviation, space exploration, 3D modelling and emerging technologies. Working with students, parents, schools, educational institutions and corporate partners, we strive to make quality STEM education engaging, accessible and impactful.
Today we collaborate with ministries of education across the MENA region, Africa and the USA — building a generation of engineers who are not only ready for the labour market, but motivated to give back.
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What drives us
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Mission
Empowering Young Minds Through Learning by Doing.
To inspire and equip the next generation with essential STEM knowledge and practical skills through innovative, hands-on educational experiences — nurturing creativity and critical thinking, and preparing young learners to become confident innovators and problem-solvers.
Our Vision
Inspiring a Generation of Innovators.
To become a globally recognised leader in STEM education by providing innovative learning solutions that empower students, educators and communities to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Our Values
A compass for everything we do.
Education should not only develop knowledge, but inspire positive change in society. Seven values guide our work:
- Leadership
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Diversity
- Quality
Since 2009
Our story
From a mother's vision to an international STEM initiative
The Little Engineer® was founded in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2009 by Rana El Chemaitelly — a mechanical engineer, educator and entrepreneur with a master's degree in Engineering Management.
As a mother of three and a former instructor at the American University of Beirut, Rana envisioned an educational environment where children could move beyond passive technology consumption and discover the excitement of creating, building and innovating.
What began as a six-week summer programme evolved into an educational initiative delivering STEM experiences to learners across different countries and communities. Today, The Little Engineer continues to pursue its founding mission: empowering young minds to explore the joy of technology and become creators of tomorrow's solutions.
Our impact
Building skills. Transforming education. Empowering communities.
Since 2009 we have worked with educational institutions, international organisations and corporate partners to expand access to hands-on STEM education.
Our programmes support learners, educators and communities through classroom solutions, professional development, educational workshops and social-impact initiatives.
A notable milestone is our collaboration with Airbus, which has helped introduce thousands of learners across multiple countries to engineering and aviation-related STEM experiences. Through our social-impact work and The Lifetime Education Foundation®, we also seek to bring educational opportunities to underserved communities.
2009
Founded in Beirut, Lebanon
4,000+
Students in the Airbus programme
12+
Countries reached by the programme
4
Centres: Lebanon, KSA, UAE, Nigeria
Figures published by The Little Engineer. The Airbus programme figures refer to the Airbus Little Engineer programme since 2012 and should be refreshed before publication.
Our founder
Rana El Chemaitelly
Founder & CEO — The Little Engineer®
Mechanical Engineer · Educator · Social Entrepreneur
Rana El Chemaitelly founded The Little Engineer with a belief that education should inspire curiosity, develop confidence and empower young people to become active contributors to society.
Her mission extends beyond STEM education to promoting innovation, supporting educators, empowering women and expanding learning opportunities across communities.
“When there is a will, there is a way.”
Explore The Little Engineer
Discover how we can inspire your learners
Three routes into our work, plus our online store for educational content, STEM kits and technology products.
For families
Students & Parents
Explore STEM courses, workshops, camps, birthday experiences and competitions.
For institutions
Schools & Educators
Discover classroom solutions, curriculum integration and teacher development.
For partners
Corporate Social Responsibility
Partner with us to expand access to STEM education and create lasting impact.
Shop Online
— our educational content, STEM kits and technology products are sold through Shopify. The store link is not yet connected in this prototype.
Work with us
Let's discuss how we can support your learners
Talk to our team about programmes for your child, a STEM pathway for your school, or a CSR initiative for your organisation.