Our Staff and Leadership
Founders
Ryan Rich-Executive Director and President
Ryan Rich is a STEM educator, robotics coach, and maker passionate about hands-on learning and creating engaging spaces where students can grow through creativity, problem solving, and teamwork. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from UMBC and has experience teaching technology and mathematics, along with leading robotics teams, summer camps, and after-school STEM programs for K–12 students. He also has experience in space research through collaborative student payload projects and STEM research initiatives.
Ryan has received multiple recognitions for his work in STEM education, including the 2022 Maryland Robotics Youth Mentor of the Year Award, the 2023 FIRST LEGO League Coach and Mentor Award, and international recognition in 2025 as a FIRST Inspire the Future: Educator Honoree. He has also been an invited speaker at STEM mentor conferences hosted by organizations including James Madison University, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, UMBC, and FIRST Robotics.
Ryan has received multiple recognitions for his work in STEM education, including the 2022 Maryland Robotics Youth Mentor of the Year Award, the 2023 FIRST LEGO League Coach and Mentor Award, and international recognition in 2025 as a FIRST Inspire the Future: Educator Honoree. He has also been an invited speaker at STEM mentor conferences hosted by organizations including James Madison University, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, UMBC, and FIRST Robotics.
Ryan Schrenk-Engineering Advisor and Vice President
Ryan Schrenk is an experienced professional with a B.S. and M.S. in Aerospace and Astronautical Engineering from Capitol Technology University. He has previously worked as a mathematics and physics instructor, research associate and professor at both Capitol Technology University and Anne Arundel Community College.
Much of his research expertise is in small form satellites and payloads, notably serving as a principal investigator and lead engineer for the CACTUS-I satellite. Some of his other projects include a NASA High Altitude Student Platform(HASP) Payload, Sounding Rocket Payloads, and RockSatX hosted by Wallops Flight Facility. He also is very active in the Maryland STEM education community as both a consultant for the public school system and advocate for accessible STEM programs.
Much of his research expertise is in small form satellites and payloads, notably serving as a principal investigator and lead engineer for the CACTUS-I satellite. Some of his other projects include a NASA High Altitude Student Platform(HASP) Payload, Sounding Rocket Payloads, and RockSatX hosted by Wallops Flight Facility. He also is very active in the Maryland STEM education community as both a consultant for the public school system and advocate for accessible STEM programs.
Staff
Kit Kellam-Assistant Director
Kit Kellam is a mechanical engineering student at the University of Maryland, College Park, with experience in robotics coaching, tutoring, camp instruction, and youth mentorship. Passionate about hands-on STEM education, he enjoys helping students build confidence through engineering, creative problem-solving, and collaborative learning.
As program lead for STEM Space's High School Space Team at Anne Arundel Community College, Kit mentors students as they design, build, and test experiments for near-space flight. Through this work, he introduces students to authentic engineering, scientific research, and the process of developing complex projects from concept to launch. His commitment to STEM education and outreach has been recognized through the AFCEA Central Maryland Chapter Freedom STEM Scholarship.
As program lead for STEM Space's High School Space Team at Anne Arundel Community College, Kit mentors students as they design, build, and test experiments for near-space flight. Through this work, he introduces students to authentic engineering, scientific research, and the process of developing complex projects from concept to launch. His commitment to STEM education and outreach has been recognized through the AFCEA Central Maryland Chapter Freedom STEM Scholarship.
Nevaeh Schreiber-Lead Instructor
Nevaeh Schreiber is a student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Development. With experience in early childhood education, youth leadership, camp instruction, and training in Youth Mental Health First Aid, she is passionate about helping young learners develop confidence through hands-on exploration, creativity, and play.
As Lead Instructor at STEM Space, Nevaeh oversees hands-on STEM programs and curriculum design for elementary-aged students, creating engaging learning experiences that encourage curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving. She is dedicated to fostering safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.
As Lead Instructor at STEM Space, Nevaeh oversees hands-on STEM programs and curriculum design for elementary-aged students, creating engaging learning experiences that encourage curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving. She is dedicated to fostering safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.
Colby Rich-Advancement Coordinator
Colby Rich is a student at the University of Maryland, College Park pursuing a degree in Linguistics. With an interest in communication, organizational development, and strategic outreach, he is passionate about helping organizations build meaningful partnerships and expand access to educational opportunities.
Colby supports marketing, communications, and fundraising initiatives that strengthen the organization's mission and expand its impact. Through strategic communication and relationship building, he helps expand access to partnership and funding opportunities that enable STEM Space to serve more students and families.
Colby supports marketing, communications, and fundraising initiatives that strengthen the organization's mission and expand its impact. Through strategic communication and relationship building, he helps expand access to partnership and funding opportunities that enable STEM Space to serve more students and families.
Peter Damico-Instructor
Peter Damico is a University of Maryland, College Park student majoring in Computer Science with a love for STEM. He's been tutoring math and computer programming for two years, and he's excited to help students of all grades build new skills and strengthen their understanding of core concepts. Outside of teaching, Peter enjoys developing games, hiking, and playing sports. He loves programming because it's like one giant puzzle — there's nothing better than watching the pieces click into place as you learn. He's always happy to chat about ongoing STEM projects, or about any of his own.
Rajit Rath-Instructor
Rajit Rath is a senior at Mount Hebron High School. He believes that it is essential to teach the new generation about the wonders of STEM, and he believes that STEM education is a necessity, especially in areas where STEM programs are not as abundant. In his free time, he enjoys building computers and working with technology, and he wants to pursue electrical engineering in his higher education. He is also part of a FIRST Robotics Challenge team and a FIRST Tech Challenge team, and he believes that robotics is the future. He hopes to spread the importance of STEM through STEM Space