New binding, Vol. XXIII No. 44, 2025.
Professional paper
STEM in the Library – Voltino Library`s Team at the International FIRST LEGO League Competition
Jasminka Kurt
orcid.org/0009-0001-1352-1548
; Zagreb City Libraries
Marija Juranko Ladavac
orcid.org/0009-0008-3473-8683
; Zagreb City Libraries
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present the introduction and development of STEM programs and activities in a public library — Zagreb City Libraries — Voltino Library — ranging from scientific and creative workshops to robotics workshops and the establishment of an IT makerspace, as well as the participation of the library’s robotics team in an international STEM competition. The paper shows how participants in the library’s STEM programs progress from their initial encounters with new technologies to becoming participants in STEM competitions, and later volunteers and mentors in educational workshops. The launch of robotics workshops at the Voltino Library enabled the acquisition and sharing of knowledge about using new information technologies, such as working with micro:bits, 3D pens and 3D printers, Lego Mindstorms robots, Cubetto robots, and mBot robots. The knowledge gained inspired the participation of the library’s robotics team, 10 volti, in the international STEM competition for children — the FIRST LEGO League (FLL). The paper describes the process of registration, preparation, and participation in the FLL competition. It was found that there is significant interest among young library users in educational content and activities in this field, and that workshop participants express satisfaction with the opportunity to take part in free and accessible STEM workshops close to where they live. By introducing STEM programs, the Voltino Library has positioned itself as a community meeting place and a hub for acquiring new knowledge and exploring new technologies.
Keywords
FIRST LEGO League; public library; robotics workshop; STEM
Hrčak ID:
344817
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2025.
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