Between March and June 2025, our ICE Robotics project launched the first wave of bootcamps in Bratislava and Vienna. Six bootcamps, dozens of teachers, and more than 100 students later — we’ve gathered a treasure trove of insights about how young people learn robotics, AI, and 3D design best.

So, what happened inside these three-day “learning labs”?

🧩 What Are ICER Bootcamps?

Think of them as mini STEM festivals for schools. Over three days, students and their teachers dive into:

  • 3D Modeling & Printing: Learning Fusion 360 and bringing digital designs to life.
  • Robotics with mBots: Programming, problem-solving, and friendly competitions.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Exploring AI basics, from chatbots to ethical dilemmas.
  • Cultural Exchange: City trails, group dinners, and cross-border teamwork.

As Mitchel Resnick from MIT Media Lab once said:

“People learn best when they are actively engaged in designing and creating things.”

This spirit is at the heart of every bootcamp.

🎓 What Students Loved Most

Across Bratislava and Vienna, feedback was clear: hands-on robotics was the star of the show.

  • “Building and programming robots together” was a top highlight.
  • Many discovered they could do more in 3D design than they expected.
  • And even if AI felt “fast and complicated,” students were still curious to learn more.

Confidence grew significantly: one group reported their robotics skills jumping from a self-rating of 3.1 before the bootcamp to 4.6 afterwards!

⚡ Lessons We Learned Along the Way

Every bootcamp brought valuable takeaways — not just for students, but for us as organizers and for teachers, too.

  • Keep it practical: Students thrive when they can test, tinker, and see results immediately.
  • AI needs scaffolding: It excites students, but examples need to be simpler, slower, and closer to their everyday life.
  • Preparation matters: A bit of pre-bootcamp orientation (materials, tutorials) helps everyone feel more confident.
  • Logistics count: Food, hotels, and clear instructions may seem minor, but they can make or break the experience.

🌍 Why Cross-Border Matters

Bootcamps weren’t just about coding and robotics — they were about meeting peers from another country, working in mixed teams, and building friendships. That cultural dimension often ended up being as memorable as the tech challenges.

🔮 What’s Next?

From November 2025 to June 2026, we’ll roll out the second wave of bootcamps — six more sessions that will:

  • Make AI modules more digestible,
  • Introduce optional “advanced” tracks for students who want an extra challenge,
  • And connect participants to robotics leagues and online follow-ups.

As Seymour Papert once put it:

“The role of the teacher is to create conditions for invention, rather than provide ready-made knowledge.”

That’s exactly what we aim for in ICER: creating spaces where students can invent, explore, and fall in love with STEM.

👉 Curious about the project?
Visit the Resources section to see more about our activities, resources, and upcoming events.

The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Interreg Slovakia–Austria programme.