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/

View original post here:

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

Global Engineering Liability Insurance Market Research Report Along with Leading Players, Revenue, Production Techniques, Business Overview, Forecasted to 2026

TheEngineering Liability Insurance Marketreportoffers a plethora of essential components such as the size of the market as well as its share along with forecast trends, specifications, and applications. The report clarifies the summary of present innovations, specifications, parameters, and creation in a detailed manner. The Engineering Liability Insurance industry report also provides a complete abstract of the economic fluctuations in terms of fulfillment ratios and demand rates.

The global market is a broad field for playersChubb (ACE), AIG, Hiscox, Allianz, Tokio Marine Holdings, XL Group, AXA, Travelers, Assicurazioni Generali, Doctors Company, Marsh & McLennan, Liberty Mutual, Medical Protective, Aviva, Zurich, Sompo Japan Nipponkoa, Munich Re, Aon, Beazley, Mapfre, Old Republic Insurance Company.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the strengthen of multinational companies with a powerful sense of purpose.

Get an Exclusive Detailed Summarized Engineering Liability Insurance Market Report:https://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/sample/engineering-liability-insurance-market

Segments [Product Types:D&O Insurance, E&O Insurance;End-User Applications:Coverage: Up to $1 Million, Coverage: $1 Million to $5 Million, Coverage: $5 Million to $20 Million, Coverage: Over $20 Million] are broadly divided based on the constant upgrades in the development parameters, reliability parameters, quality parameters, applications, and end-user demand. The report for the global Engineering Liability Insurance market also verifies a series of factors comprising manufacture CAGR, size, share, forecast trends, sales, supply, production, demands, industry, and analysis.

The slight modification in the product profile results in a major alteration in the product prototype, development platforms, and production methods. These overall factors are associated with manufacturing and are very well enlightened in the Engineering Liability Insurance report. The Engineering Liability Insurance market research report also offers a forecast on the basis of the present analytical techniques and business trends. It also offers a detailed examination of the important growth factors that are verified on the basis of end-user demands, restraining elements, regulatory compliance, and variable market changes.

Also, get an updated and revised market data here:https://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/inquiry/engineering-liability-insurance-market

A number of trends such as globalization, over-capacity in developed markets, technology advancement, environmental concerns, Engineering Liability Insurance market fragmentation regulation, and proliferation of products are mentioned in the Engineering Liability Insurance research report. The characteristics and performance of the global Engineering Liability Insurance market are calculated on the basis of the qualitative as well as quantitative technique to offer a clear view of the future and current forecast trend.

The players are analyzed through:

Company ProfileBusiness Segments AnalysisFinancial AnalysisSWOT analysis & Porters Five Forces AnalysisPossible Impact of COVID- 19 on Latest Market Conditions

Geographical Segments:

The primary geographical areas North America(U.S., Canada, Rest of North America), Europe(UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific(China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America), Middle East and Africa(GCC Countries, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa) are also examined in this report.

The report also contains graphs, realistic figures, and diagrams, which show the status of theEngineering Liability Insurance marketon the regional and global platforms.

Reasons for Buying Engineering Liability Insurance market

This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments

Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.

For any query/question ask freely @sales@syndicatemarketresearch.com.

See the original post here:

Global Engineering Liability Insurance Market latest demand by 2020-2025 with leading players & COVID-19 Analysis KSU | The Sentinel Newspaper -...

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--K-2 Venture Partners (K-2 Ventures or K-2) served as the exclusive financial advisor to Mark Two Engineering, LLC (Mark Two), a medical device manufacturer, in its sale to Incodema Holdings LLC (Incodema), a portfolio company of CORE Industrial Partners (CORE), a Chicago-based private equity firm.

Mark Two specializes in complex high-precision machining and manufacturing for established medical device OEMs. The company provides components, surgical equipment, and implant systems across multiple product platforms through a full suite of modern CNC technologies and equipment.

Cheryl Box, President of Mark Two, said, Not only did K-2 provide us with excellent guidance and representation on this exciting transaction, but they also positioned us well for the sale through their ongoing consulting throughout the year. K-2s significant small business experience combined with their hands-on involvement with the Mark Two team helped us to grow the company and increase its worth. Its difficult to imagine completing this transaction without their support and execution.

Mark Kacer, Managing Partner of K-2, said, It was a pleasure to work with Mark Twos talented team towards enhancing the companys capabilities, performance, and results, ultimately realizing that value through the sale to Incodema. Further, we were pleased to have helped Mark Two achieve record sales and earnings, despite the challenges of the global pandemic.

Kevin Kacer, Vice President of K-2, added, We are confident that Mark Twos technical capabilities and their consistent product quality will bring significant value to Incodema and its operations. We look forward to other similar opportunities in which K-2 can help small business owners execute their strategies successfully.

This transaction marks a milestone in the momentum of K-2s M&A advisory services for lower middle-market businesses and is representative of the firms effective transactional and operational guidance along with its commitment to its clients long-term sustainable success.

Nason, Yeager, Gerson, Harris & Fumero, P.A. provided legal representation to Mark Two while Winston & Strawn LLP provided legal representation to CORE in the transaction.

For additional details on the transaction, please contact Kevin Kacer by phone at 843-666-4818 or by email at kkacer@k-2ventures.com.

About K-2 Ventures

K-2 Ventures is a South Florida-based boutique M&A firm offering investment banking services, consulting, and private equity investing. Founded by Mark Kacer and Kevin Kacer in 2019, K-2 is focused on partnering with small to mid-sized businesses, respecting the values and vision of the management team to help each company reach its peak. For more information, visit http://www.k-2ventures.com.

About Mark Two Engineering

Founded in 1996, Mark Two is a contract manufacturing firm that specializes in complex high-precision component machining for the medical device industry. Headquartered in Miami Lakes, FL, Mark Two is ISO 9001 certified, ISO 13485 certified and FDA registered. For more information, visit http://www.marktwo.com.

About CORE Industrial Partners

CORE Industrial Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm investing in North American lower middle-market manufacturing and industrial technology businesses. COREs team is comprised of highly experienced former CEOs and investment professionals with shared beliefs, deep experience, and a proven track record of building market-leading businesses. Through our capital, insight, and operational expertise, CORE partners with management teams and strives to build best-in-class companies with lasting results. For more information, visit http://www.coreipfund.com.

About Incodema Holdings

Incodema Holdings (Incodema) is a leading provider of precision machining and sheet metal cutting and forming solutions, including laser, micro waterjet, specialty stamping, multislide, welding and photo chemical etching, across numerous end markets, including electronics, aerospace and defense, medical and industrials, among others. Headquartered in Ithaca, New York, with additional facilities in Newark, New York, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Denver, Colorado, Incodema holds certifications and compliance designations including AS9100 Rev. D, ISO 9001 and ITAR. For more information, visit http://www.incodema.com.

View post:

K-2 Ventures Advises Mark Two Engineering on Its Sale to CORE Industrial Partners - Business Wire

SIA Engineering (SIAEC) swung briefly back into the black in its third-quarter earnings, warning that the glacial pace of global air travel recovery is punishing its profitability.

For the three months ended 31 December, the MRO unit of flag carrier Singapore Airlines reported an operating profit of S$1.1 million ($827,000), a 93% drop year on year.

The company notes that the Singapore governments wage support schemes have gone some way to cushion the impact from the coronavirus pandemic without it, it discloses that it would have recorded a loss of nearly S$45 million.

Revenue for the period fell 59% year on year to S$105 million, as reduced flying activity meant a reduced work volume. SIAEC discloses that the number of flights handled by its line maintenance unit during the quarter was nearly 80% lower year on year, but about 3% higher compared to the previous quarter.

The reduction in flying hours and lower work volume continued to impact on the fleet management business as well as our engine and component joint venture companies, states SIAEC.

Expenses, meanwhile, decreased 56% year on year to S$132 million. The company states that even with governmental support and cost measures in place, the fall in expenses could not fully offset the reduction in revenue.

SIAEC reported a net profit of S$7.7 million for the quarter, about 86% lower year on year.

On a nine-month basis, SIAEC slipped into the red, recording an operating loss of S$26.1 million, and a net loss of S$11.3 million.

SIAEC, which recently rolled out the second phase of its business transformation efforts, says it will continue to prudently [manage] our cashflow and expenditure during the period.

It adds: We will continue to closely review the rationalisation of our portfolio of joint ventures and subsidiaries in the current environment, and concurrently explore new investment opportunities for capability expansion.

Here is the original post:

SIA Engineering ekes out small profit in third quarter - Flightglobal

In Kasukabe, Japan lies the world's largest underground floodwater facility. Massive man-made concrete caverns that make up the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, also known as the G-Cans project, sprawl under the cities surface-level infrastructure.

The large underground drainage system was built to prevent catastrophic flooding of the waterways that surround the city. Due to surges in rainy and typhoon seasons, the local geography is stricken by large flooding events each year.

The city itself is located on the outskirts of Tokyo in the Saitama prefecture, but above ground, there is little that hints at just what lies beneath.

Construction on the project began all the way back in 1992, and spanned the course of roughly a decade and a half, with the project fully completed in 2006. While on paper the project contains only five containment silos, the significance of their size will give any onlooker pause. Each silo is 213 ft (65 mt) high and 104 ft (32 mt) in diameter. These larger silos are then connected by 4 mi (6.3 km) of large tunnels, all at a depth of 165 ft (50 mt) below the surface.Pillars weighing 500 tons each support the main reservoir,a concrete tank measuring 580 ft (177 mt) long by 83 ft (25.4 mt) high. Inside of this tank sit 78 10 MW pumps that are capable of transferring roughly 200 tons of water into the nearby Edo River each and every second.

Staff at the facility are on constant alert, especially during Japans rainy and typhoon seasons from June to late October. The reservoir has helped reduce the number of homes affected by water damage in nearby areas by around 90%.

During dry periods, the surge tank is actually used as a tourist attraction. Visitors can tour the site for about 3000 Japanese Yen, or roughly 30 USD. While any jet-hopping civil engineer might be bursting to take a trip and see this underground marvel, it should be noted that the tours are only conducted in Japanese.

RELATED: 13 OF THE MOST FASCINATING DAMS IN THE WORLD

At this point though, it's natural to wonder what the city did before they built the Kasukabe Reservoir. How did a bustling town survive seasonal catastrophic flooding?

Initially, the infrastructure was sparse enough that the floods weren't considered to be a major issue. However, from the 1960s through the 1980s, much of the region's farmland had been replaced with housing and industrial facilities, significantly decreasing the opportunity for rainfall and snowmelt to seep underground.

When the suburbs of Tokyo were initially being developed, the sprawl occurred so fast that little thought was given to flood control. However, the city soon learned its lesson as it suffered numerous catastrophic floods, rendering a number of areas unbuildable.

As the population grew and more and more of the ground was covered with non-porous concrete, engineers knew that something had to be done to remedy the situation.

After years of struggling with the floods, 1992 marked the beginning of the fightback against catastrophic flooding in the region due to the construction of the outer underground discharge channel tunnels.

RELATED: THIS RESERVOIR IS COVERED IN 95 MILLION SHADE BALLS TO STOP EVAPORATION

This massive system works through a system of switches that engineers can control during high rain or flooding events. Due to the series of tunnels that run throughout the city, connected to the underground reservoir, engineers can direct nearly all of the drainage from the city into the 5 large silo storage tanks.

The end goal of the system isn't just to hold water though. In flooding events that have a rapid onset, the first task of mitigating the flooding risk is handling the surge. The underground reservoirs are built so large in order to handle large volumes of water that rapidly flow into the city during surges. The water that sits in the tanks can then be discharged more slowly into the Edogawa River, carrying it through natural channels into Tokyo Bay.

The system is often viewed by other engineers as an interesting solution to large flooding events brought on by rapid population growth. The Kasukabe Reservoir is regarded by many civil engineers as a successful solution to the problem of flooding.

In fact, a similar flood facility is being builtin Osaka Prefecture, which is scheduled for completion in 2044. And even more may be needed as global warming increases the prevalence and frequency of severe storms. According toJapans Meteorological Agency, the number of typhoons that threaten Tokyo each year has jumped 1.5 times in the last four decades.

But back to the reservoir being a tourist attraction. Why would tourists want to see massive underground concrete caverns? Well, the design of the underwater tanks gave them a sort of cathedral-esque look. Due to the large support columns scattered throughout, the empty tanks present as elegant tranquil pieces of engineering sitting below the bustling city above.

For ananimated demonstration of how the system works, take a look at the video below.

Follow this link:

Examining the Engineering of the Kasukabe Reservoir in Japan - Interesting Engineering