2017 was a very, very busy year for ‘Robot Maker Girl’ Allie Weber. As well as being awarded a Space Camp USA academic scholarship and being listed as one of the top ten finalists in the Young Scientist’s Award, Allie finished her year by being named as one of Vogue’s ’21 Under 21’.  The fifth grader is showing no signs of slowing down in 2018!

Starting the year in the generous spirit for which the young inventor is known, Allie has begun a fundraising campaign for the charity ‘Wigs for Kids’ who for thirty years have been providing support and hair replacement for children who have lost their hair to illness or treatment. Besides raising vital funds for the organisation, Allie has pledged to go for the chop herself – donating a full twelve inches of her specially grown locks to the charity. Impressive! 

Before. pic.twitter.com/KODbev2tAy

 — Allie Weber (@RobotMakerGirl) January 6, 2018

"...I think everyone has the ability to make and create and we can learn from each other and collaborate to make the things we make even better.

                                                                                                                    -  Allie

Allie is certainly making things better for the many thousands of children who as well as suffering the physical effects of hair loss, can also suffer a huge drop in confidence that can come with such a huge change in physical appearance. Wigs for Children is a non-profit organisation who make custom, high quality wigs for children that are always given free of charge. The wigs are designed to stay in place allowing children to lead as normal a life as possible, even taking part in sporting activities like soccer and swimming.

Allie is keen to mention that she has something in common with these children having suffered the effects of alopecia in third grade:

Did you know I actually have had issues with Alopecia? But mine has never been in visable places. This was me in 3rd grade. So I have now grown out my hair twice for @wigsforkids I just got a haircut! I'll show a photo once I raise $250! Donate here. https://t.co/UVtw4ToRsa pic.twitter.com/HPr2BXWZIO

— Allie Weber (@RobotMakerGirl) January 6, 2018

 Clearly, this is a cause very close to Allie’s heart as this is not just the first but the second time she has donated her hair to help others. Having already hit her fundraising goal of $250, the team at Lottie is delighted and very proud to see her big sacrifice is paying off. Here she is after the cut:

After! pic.twitter.com/C2OS7MYfzi

— Allie Weber (@RobotMakerGirl) January 8, 2018

 Besides raising money for worthy causes and being one of the foremost young STEM communicators on multiple platforms, we can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store for this remarkable young robot maker! You can donate to Allie’s campaign here