Robots, code, and the future of Italy
STEM skills Are No Longer Optional. The Solution Starts in Primary School.
STEM subjects are a “strategic priority” for Europe’s future, but Italy is falling behind. Only 22% of university students earn a STEM degree compared to the OECD average of 26% (Source: Education at a Glance OECD), enrollment by women in ICT is below the EU average of 20.3%, and Italy has overall the lowest share of ICT graduates in the EU (Source: European Commission, Education and Training Monitor 2025 – Country Report Italy).
Italian companies report difficulty finding professionals with STEM training, and the government has identified the STEM skills shortage as a national priority. As President Meloni noted, “the indicators show a misalignment between supply and demand.” The gap is particularly acute in fields like engineering, computer science, and robotics, where demand for skilled workers continues to outpace supply. (Source: Dichiarazione del Presidente Meloni in occasione della Settimana nazionale delle discipline STEM 2025)
The gender gap is even more striking. According to Istat data, although women make up 55% of all universtity enrollment in Italy, only 23% choose to study a STEM degree. In ICT fields, women make up less than 16% of enrollments, well below the EU average. (Source: CNEL-ISTAT Report on Women’s Work, 2025).
But here’s the good news: the gap starts early, so it can be addressed early, before stereotypes take hold. The Education and Training Monitor 2025 emphasizes that interventions must begin in primary and lower secondary education. Research consistently shows that early, hands-on exposure to STEM subjects has a lasting impact on children’s interest and confidence in these fields.
This enthusiasm is precisely what YCM’s LEGO Robotics Lab taps into. While competitive robotics is wonderful for older students, the real transformation happens when children start younger – in elementary and middle school – building foundational skills in a playful, supportive environment. That’s what LEGO Robotics offers: an accessible entry point that doesn’t require prior experience, just curiosity and a willingness to try.
Here are six ways robotics helps kids grow, in ways that go far beyond the classroom:
#1: Robotics builds logical thinking and problem-solving skills
When a child programs a robot, they learn to break down a problem into smaller steps. They test their code, spot errors, and fix them. This structured way of thinking, known as logical thinking, helps kids tackle challenges in school and life. A child’s robot might veer off course, or a sensor might not respond as expected. Instead of giving up, they debug. They try again. They learn that problems are just puzzles waiting to be solved.
#2: Robotics sparks creativity
Coding and robotics are often seen as technical, but they’re also incredibly creative. Children design their own robots, decide what they want them to do, and figure out how to make it happen. They build, test, and redesign, just like real engineers.
#3: Robotics teaches persistence and resilience
Things don’t always work the first time. That’s part of the process. When a program fails or a robot doesn’t move as expected, children learn to persevere. They test, adjust, and try again. This builds what psychologists call a “growth mindset” — the belief that effort leads to improvement.
#4: Robotics develops computational thinking
Computational thinking is the ability to break down problems and solve them step by step. It’s a skill that helps in math, science, reading, and everyday life. When children code with LEGO robotics, they learn to sequence instructions, use loops and conditionals, and think like a programmer, even before they know what those words mean. These skills carry over to everything they do.
#5: Robotics encourages teamwork and collaboration
In our LEGO Robotics Lab, children work in pairs. They bounce ideas off each other, take turns at tasks, and solve problems together. They learn to listen, to compromise, and to celebrate each other’s successes. These are the same skills they’ll need in school, in their careers, and in life. Robotics just happens to be a really fun way to practice them!
#6: Robotics builds confidence
There’s something powerful about watching a robot you built follow your instructions. It’s tangible proof that you can create something that works. Children who start out unsure become experts. They help each other. They explain their code to visitors. They take pride in their work, and rightly so.
Why YCM’s Robotics Lab is different
Our LEGO Robotics Lab is taught entirely in English, right here in Milan. Children use LEGO bricks, motors, sensors, and coding to build their own robots. Then they film their creations and screen them at the YCM Premiere, a real event with a real audience. Ready to see what your child can build? We’d love to welcome you to the LEGO Robotics Lab. Sign up for a free trial lesson and discover what happens when kids build, code, and create.
