When the world shut down during COVID-19, Ayushmaan Bellum, then a sixth-grader from Folsom, CA, found himself isolated, bored, and unsure where to channel his curiosity. What began as a simple suggestion from his dad to explore a VEX IQ robotics kit at home sparked a transformation that would shape his confidence, academic path, and future career goals.

That first build was modest: a basic claw bot and block-based code. However, the impact was immediate, as robotics offered something that attending school at the time couldn’t offer; hands-on problem-solving, creativity, and a sense of purpose. It wasn’t long before he was hooked.

Building More Than Robots

As his skills grew, so did his ambition. He transitioned into the VEX V5 Robotics Competition, eventually forming his own team, COGNITAUR 29712C, recruiting teammates and building robots from scratch in his family’s garage. Wins and trophies followed, but the most meaningful lessons came from losses. “Every setback forced him to reflect, adapt, and improve,” his dad, Dr. Venu Bellum, shared. “Instead of getting discouraged, he learned resilience.”

That mindset led him to teach himself advanced CAD design and complex programming, often spending hours a day learning independently. Robotics became more than an extracurricular activity, it became a launchpad for greater learning opportunities and to give back.

Giving Back Through Mentorship

One of the most meaningful parts of Ayushmaan’s journey is how he has chosen to give back. After traveling to competitions across the country, he noticed a digital divide; teams without reliable access to resources, internet, or mentorship. Instead of looking the other way, he stepped in.

Over the past three years, he has taught programming to more than 300 students, mentored younger teams in CAD, coding, and pneumatics, and supported peers globally through online communities and one-on-one coaching. His commitment to service earned him the Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award. As his father, Dr. Venu Bellum, shared, “Robotics taught him that success means lifting others as you grow.”

Taking Learning Beyond the Competition Field

The skills Ayushmaan developed through robotics quickly extended beyond competition and into real-world innovation.

He is the author of The “It Worked Yesterday” Mystery: The VEX Programmer’s Survival Guide, a hands-on resource shaped by his competition experience to help fellow students navigate complex programming challenges. His technical depth also led to academic research, with his article “Zeroing In: The Power of PID in Next-Gen Robotics” published in the National High School Journal of Science.

Driven to make STEM accessible at every age, Ayushmaan also created Robo, Roll Over!, an illustrated children’s activity book filled with puzzles, coloring pages, and creative challenges.

Beyond publishing, Ayushmaan is the co-inventor of Dermalytix, a health-tech solution designed to help prevent bedsores before they occur, showcasing how robotics and AI can translate into meaningful, real-world impact.

Preparing for the Workforce Now

Through programs supported by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), students don’t just learn how to build robots, they gain workforce-ready skills such as collaboration, technical fluency, critical thinking, communication, and adaptability.

Ayushmaan and his father both encourage students who feel shy or unsure about robotics to not wait for the perfect moment. “Start, learn, and ask questions. Robotics meets you where you are and helps you discover who you can become,” said Ayushmaan. As for parents, his dad adds, “The energy at competitions is contagious. Robotics isn’t just preparing kids for school, it’s preparing them for life.”

For Ayushmaan, robotics has clarified his future. He plans to pursue college studies in computer science and AI, while continuing to invent technologies that help others. This student’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when curiosity meets opportunity and when hands-on learning builds not just robots, but futures.