Einstein's Workshop, Burlington

Henry Houh has earned four degrees—including a Ph.D.—from MIT, patented seven inventions in the United States and Europe, founded several tech start-ups, and even played on the famous MIT blackjack team portrayed in the film “21”. Instead of spending his afternoons toasting flutes of champagne with other successful entrepreneurs and scientists, Henry works with kids. When he’s not raising his own three tykes, he’s educating other youngsters at local schools, museums, or his own venture, Einstein's Workshop.

Henry and his staff fill the 7,000-square foot Einstein’s Workshop with hands-on activities designed to teach scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical concepts in a fun, engaging way. Inside the main play space, youngsters can solve stacking puzzles, build elaborate LEGO and K'Nex structures, or assemble electronic devices using Snap Circuits. Classes delve deeper into various scientific subjects, from 2D and 3D computer-aided design workshops to classes where students create robots using LEGO WeDo and Mindstorms kits. Einstein's Workshop even caters some courses to curious adults, such as sessions that explain how to operate a laser cutter or implant a cleanliness microchip into messy roommates.