At the invitation of IBM Croatia, on Thursday 9 July 2026 we ran a STEM workshop for employees children and their friends. More than 30 children aged 6 to 14 had the chance to get to know some of the activities and values that the FabLab association promotes through its work for the common good.

We faced a particular challenge: within just a few hours we had to bring together children of different ages, most of whom did not know one another, into teams that would jointly develop and build their own projects.

Teamwork was one of the key values of the workshop. Different ages, experiences and ways of thinking brought different ideas and approaches to solving the tasks, and through working together the children learned how to listen to others, share knowledge and arrive at solutions jointly.

We also placed particular emphasis on sustainability and the reuse of materials. The children used some of the cardboard waste to build their own prototypes, while structures made from reclaimed materials became the basis for developing a 3D maze. In this way they encountered an approach to learning that differs from the usual school setting – through hands-on work, experimentation, mistakes, adjustments and fresh attempts.

During the workshop they also got to know the world of digital technologies, 3D printing, robotics and biomaterials, and had the chance to see how modern technologies work through hands-on examples and interactive demonstrations.

The aim of the workshop was to encourage creative learning, curiosity and a spirit of enquiry, and to create a space in which children can develop ideas, share knowledge and take an active part in the process of making. Activities like these add value beyond the everyday setting because they offer children something different – time well spent, new experiences and an introduction to technology through content adapted to different ages. 🙂

After five hours of intense mental and physical work came a well-earned finale: time with our robots. The children met robots that dance and perform acrobatics, and were especially delighted by the robot dog that gives a paw, waves, jumps and walks fast.

Thank you to IBM Croatia for the invitation, the trust and for recognising the value of activities like this for employees children. We are glad that together we created a space bringing together technology, creativity, sustainability, teamwork and, most importantly, learning through experience.

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