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Beth Reese Cravey|Florida Times-Union

From an early age, Kaitlyn Ludlum and twin brother Kasey werealways building something.Theyused Legos, styrofoam bowls, paper platesand plastic silverware and whatever other supplies they could find around their Clay County home.

One of their favorite projects was building leprechaun traps.

"The building of these traps went on for years," said their mother,Kelly Ludlam. They would often host contests on who could build the best trap … They would redesign and build again and always celebrated each other's creations."

Such childhood buildingwas Kaitlyn's first exposure to the world of STEM,the concept of educating students in four specific disciplines science, technology, engineering and math.

It fueled her interest in robotics and space and her current status asa mechanical and aerospace engineering major at the University of Florida, which she hopes will lead to a careerin the aerospace industry. And it fueled her desire to help other girls pursue STEM careers: In 2019shefounded AstroBot STEM Nonprofit Corp. as her Girl Scout Gold Award project.

AstroBot plans to host a virtual "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" event Feb. 27sponsored by CBV Cares, agrantmaking organization founded by Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty sales professionals in 2013.

"I wanted to focus on connecting girls to resources and role models in STEM all over the world," said Kaitlyn, now 18. "This prompted the idea to found a… nonprofit organization with social media and a website, where we can provide resources and fundraise for programming."

The nonprofit connects with girls through social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and on its website, astrobotstem.org.The website provides resources such asinterviews with women in different STEM careers and information about scholarships, internships, clubs andteams.

An AstroBot, according to the website, "is a person who is interested in space (Astro), robotics (Bot)and any other STEMfieldand they pursue it!"

The goal, Kaitlyn said, is "creating a community of girls interested in STEM to support each other and find new opportunities. We have had a couple of people reach out to tell us that our resources have helped themand then they provide a resource to add to help other girls … Its a growing communityand I am happy to be part of it."

The virtual Engineering Day event will introduce girls to different engineering disciplines, allow them to practice their problem-solving skills and engage in fun activities. Also they will hear from three women in engineering, includingKathleen Schofield, executive director of the Northeast Florida STEM 2 Hub andformer STEM supervisorfor Clay County District Schools; Makiah Eustice, aeronautical engineer, musician andaspiring space industry leader; and Tracy Fanara, engineer, scientist, graduate school professor andstorm chaser.

Later, AstroBot plans to develop a"STEM Girls in College Live Podcast" and aSTEM outreach partnership program with local middle and high schools.

The podcast will be forgraduating high school students who because of the pandemichave beenunable tovisit colleges. Through this forum they will be ableto talk with current college students.

The outreach program will partner with STEM groups at middle and high schools. The groupswill teach otherstudents about STEM through activities andpresentations, among other things.

Kelly Anderson is not at all surprised by Kaitlyn's accomplishments at such as young age. She has known Kaitlyn for seven years: Kaitlynmentored an all-Girl Scout robotics team Anderson coached and three years ago joined her troop.

"Kaitlyn is a natural-born leader and possesses a unique determination to make a difference, especially among young girls. She engages and encourages others to pursue their interests in STEM, despite any obstacles they may encounter," she said. "I have had the pleasure of seeingKaitlyngrow and mature into such a tremendous young adult, accomplishing so much along the way.I remain in awe of … everything she continues to do."

Kaitlyn not only connects girls to women in STEM fields but is a role model for them herself, Anderson said.

"Kaitlynhas always been steadfastly focused in her pursuits, yet continues to remain grounded, modest and humble, but most importantly is always kind and helpful," she said. "She has never missed an opportunity to teach a girl to code, design a better robot attachment or connect a young person with a mentor. She is most certainly one to watch."

Kaitlyn has always aimed high.

"When I was little, I went to Space Day Camp in Cape Canaveral," she said. "Thats where I decided that I was going to be an astronaut. I dont know if that dream will come true, but I am determined to work in the aerospace field."

Kaitlynhas always been a high achiever, whether it was by maintaining high grades and always working on one project or another orby finding ways to help people or becoming a STEM advocate, said hermother.

"I had no idea where that would lead her," she said. "I could not have dreamed of some of the amazing things she has done or awards she has won. Because of her achievements, I have been flown around the country to see her win these awards or to speak to audiences. Her dad and I are just amazed and proud.

"Knowing she will be able to be successful in college and secure a well-paying job is a great feeling," Ludlam said. "Seeing her become independent in these past few years … watching her come up with new ideas and seeing them through just amazes us."

Beth Reese Cravey: bcravey@jacksonville.com

The virtual event is 1 p.m.Feb.27 via Zoom. Register atastrobotstem.org.The event is freeto Clay County girls grades six through 12through sponsorship by CBV Cares but theyshould sign up by Feb.10to get a T-shirt and activity kit.Space is limited.For more informationgo tofacebook.com/AstroBotKaitlyn.

To sponsor a girl to attendthe event,go tocharity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/astrobot-stem-scholarship-fund. An activity kit and shipping are $15; a kit, T-shirt and shipping are $30.

ASTROBOT

To donate for future programming orget more information, go toastrobotstem.org/

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Clay County teen whose dream is to be an astronaut introduces other girls to STEM pursuits - The Florida Times-Union