Inspiring the Future: Tinkering with Tech in Montenegro

In Montenegro, the Tinkering with Tech program has been more than an education initiative—it has been a movement of creativity, innovation, and resilience. Introduced by UNICEF’s Global Learning Innovation Hub with support from Arm and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, along with UNICEF Montenegro, the program was implemented in collaboration with Montenegro’s Bureau for Education Services.

Together, these efforts have brought the program to 22 classes across 11 schools across Montenegro, equipping fifth grade children with the critical skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. This is not just about coding or technology. It’s about empowering children to understand the challenges around them and come up with tech-based solutions linked to climate action, addressing challenges that matter to their lives, their communities, and their future.

Empowering Teachers, Inspiring Students
The journey began with an immersive 3-day teacher training. These hands-on sessions didn’t just teach educators how to use micro:bit pocket-sized programmable computers. Teachers were introduced to design thinking — a powerful approach to solving problems through empathy, ideation, prototyping, and iteration.

What truly made the difference,  was the creation of a vibrant Teachers Community of Practice (CoP). Every Thursday or Friday afternoon, teachers carved out  time from their busy schedules to connect with one another. Through  online sessions, they shared what was working, brainstormed solutions to challenges in the implementation, and exchanged ideas to improve the program.

For many teachers, the CoP became a space to learn, share, and grow. One teacher shared, “These sessions help me see how others are solving problems I also face in my classroom. They remind me that I am not alone in this journey.” Another described how the peer-to-peer exchanges boosted their confidence to try new approaches: “It’s like a team effort across schools. We’re learning from each other to make this the best experience for our students.”

Real-World Innovation by Young Minds
Over four months, students worked on coding the micro:bits to tackle real-world problems in their communities., many of which were linked to climate change. Guided by their teachers and equipped with  new-found knowledge of technology and design thinking, they learned to ask questions, identify needs, and think critically about solutions. During the final Grand Challenge event in Podgorica, their hard work and creativity was put on full display.

The micro:bit builds presented were nothing short of inspiring: a forest fire alarm system connected to a firefighter station to prevent devastating wildfires, an anti-flooding alarm system designed to protect homes during heavy rains, innovations to resolve parking issues near schools ensuring the safety of students, and solutions for waste management and cleaner cities (including a system to inform the city when trash cans in the school were full, a mechanism to help students with proper recycling of materials, and an innovative 'eco-patrol' system to notify the school when students weren’t using trash cans correctly), fostering greener and healthier communities.

When asked about the most challenging part of the process, students shared a profound insight: “It wasn’t the coding or the prototyping—it was coming up with the right idea!” This highlights the heart of Tinkering with Tech: nurturing curiosity, creativity, and collaboration while guiding children to think deeply about the world around them.

A Grand Celebration: A Showcase of Skills and Hope
The Grand Challenge event brought together teachers, students, and key stakeholders to celebrate the young innovators. The atmosphere was wonderful, filled with pride, joy, and hope for the future.

Students from the 22 participating teams showcased not only their technical skills but also their mastery of critical 21st-century competencies the program aimed to develop —problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and resilience. As one of the officials from the Bureau for Education remarked, “It’s amazing to see how much the students have grown—not just in their knowledge of technology, but in their confidence to communicate about the process they followed.”

For the  students, this event was more than just a presentation; it was the recognition of their journey. From brainstorming ideas to testing prototypes and receiving feedback, the Grand Challenge symbolized their ability to create meaningful solutions. Their ideas reminded everyone of the immense potential that lies within every young learner.

The Power of Community & Looking Ahead

At the heart of this success is the collective effort of the entire community. Teachers went above and beyond, devoting time to the CoP to refine their teaching approaches and better support their students. Students brought boundless creativity and determination to their projects. Parents and school leaders offered their encouragement and support every step of the way.

Through Tinkering with Tech, students are not just learning about technology; they are becoming changemakers, equipped to navigate and shape the future with confidence.

Outcomes from Montenegro may inspire countries in  the Tinkering with Tech program and others exploring approaches to deliver a future-ready education.