A new STEM Kindloteka, an educational space for children and youth focusing on the development of skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, has opened in Warsaw’s Praga Północ district. This initiative, launched by Amazon and the Cyfrowy Dialog Association in 2019, now boasts over 100 such centers, benefiting half a million children with its workshops. STEM skills are considered essential for the future, with research showing they can be nurtured even in young students.
“Amazon STEM Kindloteka is a program that supports local communities in education, targeting children aged 7 to 15. Its goal is to teach STEM skills—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—through play, experiments, robotics workshops, programming, and safe use of technology,” said Mariusz Mielczarek, Director of Public Sector Regulation for Central and Eastern Europe at Amazon.
Interactive Spaces and Free Workshops
STEM Kindloteka centers are designed to promote reading, coding and robotics activities, tinkering, and scientific experiments. The workshops are conducted by trained teachers, librarians, educators, and Amazon volunteers, based on materials developed by Amazon, Cyfrowy Dialog, and the Zaczytani.org Foundation. All sessions are free of charge, available to school groups and individual participants alike.
The Warsaw STEM Kindloteka, located at the Synergia Social Innovation Lab in Praga Północ, is the 106th such facility in Poland.
“This space combines practical and theoretical sciences to enhance not only digital competencies but also skills in mathematics and other STEM fields,” said Jacek Wiśnicki, Deputy Mayor of Warsaw.
STEM: A Practical Approach to Future Skills
STEM education emphasizes practical, hands-on learning across disciplines, fostering skills like teamwork, idea generation, data collection, and analysis. It nurtures creativity and curiosity while preparing children for future careers in STEM fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in STEM-related professions is projected to grow by over 10% by 2033, compared to just 3.6% in other fields.
“The creation of such spaces is vital because the world is changing rapidly. We need to adapt and provide children, as well as adults, with opportunities to keep up with digital advancements. Safe environments like this, with experienced educators guiding children in technologies such as VR and robotics, are crucial for fostering their development,” emphasized Jacek Wiśnicki.
Early Exposure to STEM Makes a Difference
Research indicates that early exposure to STEM disciplines significantly benefits skill development. A Microsoft study of American STEM students revealed that 78% decided to pursue such studies in high school, while 20% made the decision even earlier. More than half cited teachers or STEM-related activities as influential, with female students highlighting this factor more often.
“Education is key. We believe it develops passion and curiosity for learning about technology, which is why we aim to popularize STEM from the earliest ages. Although the Kindloteka program primarily targets children, adults can also benefit from its resources,” said Mariusz Mielczarek.
The STEM Kindloteka uses tools such as LEGO blocks, Scottie Go! games, Micro:bit and Makey Makey boards, and VR goggles for hands-on learning. These activities, along with the workshops at the “Czacha Dymi” fablab, are dedicated to children and teens.
Empowering Girls in STEM and Beyond
Amazon also focuses on building STEM competencies among young women. The Girls Do Engineering program, organized by Amazon Development Center Poland in partnership with Cyfrowy Dialog, is designed for high school students, introducing them to technology and opening new career possibilities. In Poland, the percentage of women working in the ICT sector remains below the European average.
“We also offer internship programs where participants can learn and work simultaneously, gaining practical skills in our research and logistics centers. Additionally, our programs for adults, such as the AWS Academy, teach cloud technology and its applications,” Mariusz Mielczarek added.
Broader Educational Initiatives
Amazon’s Meet and Code program, running for seven years, promotes digital literacy among children and youth across Europe. Meanwhile, the Zdolni Odkrywcy project supports the integration of Polish and Ukrainian children.
“In collaboration with the TVN Foundation, our Zdrowie w Głowie program renovates psychiatric and psychological clinics for children, where Kindloteka spaces are also being established,” Mariusz Mielczarek concluded.
