About Participate Hackathons

DigiEduHack 2025

Rethinking education in the age of digital skills.

Get ready: the 6th edition of DigiEduHack will take place 7-16 Nov 2025

Seize the opportunity, let's support people-driven digital transformation in education together!

Božena Vrgoč

Early Years Curriculum Expert | STEM & EdTech Advocate | NGO Founder | Entrepreneur

Božena Vrgoč is an early years curriculum expert with over 15 years of experience in STEM preschool education, a passionate EdTech enthusiast, pedagogist, advocate for girls in STEM, and the founder of the NGO „Institute for STEM Education & Afterschool Activities“.

Born and raised in a family of seven children in a small Croatian village, Božena’s childhood was shaped by both the warmth of a large family and the challenges of growing up during the civil war. Experiencing firsthand what it means to learn with limited resources - and to dream beyond her circumstances - ignited her lifelong mission: to ensure every child, no matter where they are born, has access to inspiring, high-quality education.

Throughout her career, Božena has dedicated herself to transforming early learning through innovation, empathy, and equity. Her work bridges hands-on teaching, strategic leadership, and cross-sector collaboration, impacting thousands of children, educators, and communities across Croatia and the EU.

Signature Achievements:

  • Co-author and lead trainer of “STEM u vrtiću” - Croatia’s first nationally verified early STEM curriculum, now empowering over 500 educators and 2,500 children.
  • Secured and led EU-funded projects that bring robotics, coding, and digital literacy to rural and marginalized communities
  • Erasmus+ training course facilitator / trainer/ invited expert
  • Advocate for equity and inclusion, developing specialized modules for neurodiverse and gifted children, and championing girls’ participation in STEM.
  • Sought-after speaker and thought leader, regularly presenting at national and international conferences on EdTech, AI in early education, sustainability, and children’s rights.
  • Movement builder, forging partnerships with ministries, NGOs, and industry to scale innovation and influence educational policy.

Božena’s approach blends deep pedagogical expertise with entrepreneurial vision, building learning ecosystems where STEM meets soul and every child’s curiosity is celebrated. She believes in education as a force for social change and is committed to empowering educators to become agents of that change.

Her passions include:

  • Human-centered, inclusive education
  • EdTech and AI for early learners
  • Cross-sector partnerships
  • Empowering girls and underrepresented groups in STEM
  • Transforming education policy and practice

Currently, Božena is focused on expanding international collaborations, consulting on EdTech and curriculum innovation, and co-creating projects that ensure no child is left behind in the future of learning.

www.stemzasve.eu

Social media: @bozena.vrgoc , @institut_za_stem