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Making Connections: STEM Students in Zagreb

One evening in Zagreb, we met a group of young entrepreneurs in Trg bana Jelačića, the Main Square in Zagreb, to see a demonstration of a robot they designed and to discuss their business model.  Their robot, appropriately named STEMI, is designed as a teaching tool for young students interested in STEM fields to learn robotics and the computer programming behind the robots movements.  The robot is delivered to the student in pieces along with access to online videos with step-by-step instructions teaching the student how to build the robot and how each component works.
We could immediately see STEMI’s draw, as young children and their parents gathered around us to watch the robot move through the square using only a smart phone.  The robot is well-designed, easy to use, and could appeal to a large number of younger schoolchildren across the world. More information on STEMI can be found here.  (http://www.stemi.education/)
The entrepreneurs, graduates of University of Zagreb’s Engineering School, intend to run their business as a social enterprise using a portion of their profits to donate the STEMI robot kit to schools, libraries, and other shared spaces as well as supporting girls in STEM.  Their long-term vision is to create a community where young students can share their knowledge in programming and robotics innovations amongst each other to continue learning outside of the classroom.  As Quinlan focuses on teaching Social Enterprise and as Loyola continues to build STEM field education programs, building a relationship with these entrepreneurs seems like a great opportunity for us both.
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Through our conversation throughout the evening, we developed a stronger understanding of their business and ways we can help them understand the US consumer and how to target their potential customer.  In the near future, we hope to develop this relationship further and help them develop their strategy for entering the US market.
-Emily Schroeder, MBA student with a concentration in Management; Business Manager in Quinlan School of Business

 

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