12 year old’s STEM project vs. gun violence

It all started with a question no parent ever wants to hear: “What would I do if a school shooting happened at my school?” At just 12 years old, our son turned his fear into innovation for a STEM project, researching school safety and challenging himself to create a lightweight protective panel using materials such as Kevlar®, layered fabrics etc. What began with evenings of cutting, laminating, experimenting, and testing prototypes soon sparked a much bigger idea: why should protection only exist in tactical gear when people could carry it discreetly in the everyday items they already use and travel with you? From one young boy’s determination to find a solution grew Budungdung—a family mission to combine premium craftsmanship, everyday functionality, innovation, and enhanced protection in products like leather bags, padfolios, and other everyday carry essentials. What started as a 12-year-old’s STEM project became a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest ideas come from the smallest voices—and that fear, when met with courage and curiosity, can inspire something built to help protect the people we love.