Our passion is nurturing the next generation of innovators. As a team of educators and lifelong learners, we understand the power of hands-on STEM exploration to spark curiosity, build confidence, and unlock the full potential in every child. Our mission is to make science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines exciting and accessible through immersive, engaging programs that ignite the imagination and fuel a love for discovery.
- We Have the Very Best Educators – Our educators are proficient, passionate, and committed to their area of expertise. SciGenie maintains a higher educator-to-student ratio than our competitors and we ensure that all of our staff are screened for criminal history (SP-230).
- We Believe in Community Support – SciGenie believes that the local community has an important role to play in our children’s development — that’s why we donate a percentage of our profits to the local PTA/PTO whenever your school organizes an enrichment or after-school program with us.
- We Utilize the Latest Technology – Wherever possible, we maintain partnerships with technology companies to stay current with emerging tools and techniques. We do our best to provide students with the latest technology, giving each child the opportunity to explore, think, develop solutions, and prepare for the future.
Alicia McEldon – SciGenie Founder
Alicia McElon is a dedicated educator and innovative entrepreneur hailing from the UK, who made the exciting leap to the USA with her husband and their two children. With a background as an accountant at Network Rail, Alicia often found herself as the only woman in a male-dominated environment, navigating meetings with engineers and managers. This experience fueled her determination to create inclusive and engaging learning opportunities for children.
Motivated by her desire to find an after-school program that would spark her daughter’s curiosity and creativity, Alicia was disappointed by the lack of fun and interactive options available. Rather than settling for the status quo, she took the initiative to develop a series of innovative programs that emphasized hands-on projects and experiments, making learning both enjoyable and accessible.
After successfully pitching her ideas to two local schools in Reston and Ashburn, Virginia, Alicia was thrilled by the enthusiastic response. Recognizing the profound impact her programs could have, she made the courageous decision to leave her corporate career and fully commit to building SciGenie.
Alicia believes that after-school programs should take place in familiar school environments, where children feel comfortable and inspired. Under her leadership, SciGenie has blossomed into a thriving initiative that offers summer camps, workshops, and partnerships with organizations like Girl Scouts, all designed to prioritize fun and engaging learning experiences.
Education is a cornerstone of Alicia’s family values, and she actively participates in activities with her children, reinforcing her belief that learning should be an enjoyable journey. Through SciGenie, Alicia and her dedicated team continue to inspire young minds and cultivate a lifelong love for learning within their community.