Dubrovnik Hosts 10th Robo.Du Days and 3rd Du STEM Festival, Championing Robotics and STEM Education

Modern educational methodologies, such as robotics, screen-free programming, and 3D printing, are essential tools for cultivating contemporary digital and technical skills among young people. These forward-thinking approaches were prominently featured in Dubrovnik during the tenth anniversary celebration of Robo.Du Days. This significant event took place between November 17 and November 21, 2025, aligning perfectly with the broader European Robotics Week.

The comprehensive program for Robo.Du Days 2025 was jointly organized by the Technical Culture Communities of the City of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, in partnership with the Futura Information Club. The schedule boasted 24 specialized workshops. These sessions were hosted at the Dubrovnik Center for Children, Youth, and Family, covering a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from Arduino-based automation to foundational concepts in virtual reality.

Experts contributed significantly to the instruction. For instance, Željko Krnjaić, Secretary of the Croatian Robotics Association, led a session focused on Arduino automation techniques. Furthermore, Zvonimir Lapov-Padovan from the Croatian Technical Culture Community showcased modeling and electrical engineering, guiding participants in creating illuminated owl figures. Specialists from the University of Dubrovnik also participated in delivering these educational segments.

Building on the anniversary events, the third Du STEM festival opened its doors to the general public on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the TUP venue. This festival, funded through the City of Dubrovnik's 2025 Public Needs Program for Technical Culture, successfully brought together regional and national STEM associations with the goal of popularizing science and technology. Interactive exhibits provided tangible demonstrations of STEM principles in action, including projects involving the fabrication of items from recycled plastics and the utilization of 3D printing technology.

The engineering showcases at the festival were quite impressive. Attendees viewed models of LEGO robots, humanoid robots, and even a robotic dog. Organizations such as FabLab Hrvatska and Garaža Makerspace presented their innovative projects, notably featuring a robotic hand capable of playing the game of rock-paper-scissors. These initiatives, backed by municipal support, directly support the core mission of European Robotics Week: inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in STEM fields.

The tenth iteration of Robo.Du Days also provided deeper technological immersion opportunities. On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the Futura Information Club conducted an in-depth workshop on the Internet of Things (IoT) tailored for 7th and 8th graders, as well as high school students. Younger participants engaged in programming Bee-Bot and Blue-Bot robots, mastering navigation and solving logic puzzles using only the physical buttons on the devices. The tangible outcomes of these sessions, such as creations from the LEGO workshops held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, were subsequently displayed at the festival. This holistic strategy, blending intensive practical workshops with accessible public festivals, ensures broad community engagement with cutting-edge technology and engineering disciplines.