A New Arduino Inspiration Lab Opens in Sofia, Bulgaria
In September 2025, a brand-new Arduino Inspiration Lab will officially open its doors in Sofia, Bulgaria. The facility has been created by Union Interactive Ltd, an Arduino Education Partner since 2020, and is designed to support teachers, students, and schools across the country in exploring hands-on, project-based learning with Arduino.
We spoke with Alexander Nikolov, CEO of Union Interactive, to learn more about the story behind the Lab, its goals, and the vision for its impact on education in Bulgaria.
Why an Arduino Lab in Sofia?
Union Interactive has been supporting schools in Bulgaria with educational technology since 2020. However, Nikolov explained that many Arduino-based projects are difficult to fit into standard 40-minute lessons, so they often get pushed into extracurricular activities.
“We wanted to create a space where teachers and students could access different Arduino kits, spend more time experimenting, and work on projects in a focused, engaging environment,” he said.
The Lab will also become the hub for summer Arduino courses and workshops starting in 2026, and a dedicated space for teacher training—making the process more effective and efficient by having equipment ready-to-go.
Goals of the Inspiration Lab
The new Lab has three main purposes:
- Teacher training – educators will learn how to integrate Arduino kits into their classrooms and lesson plans.
- Workshops & projects – teachers can bring their students for extracurricular activities in an inspiring, hands-on environment.
- Camps & summer schools – Arduino-based programs for K-12 students, led by Union Interactive trainers.
The broader vision is to build sustainable, long-term partnerships with schools across Bulgaria.
Inside the Lab
The Arduino Inspiration Lab is part of Union Interactive’s training center in Sofia. The full center spans 150 m², while the dedicated Lab takes up 35 m².
Although the facility is located in a converted warehouse, Union Interactive invested heavily in renovating the space, transforming it into a bright and welcoming hub for education. The Lab is fully equipped with:
- A wide range of Arduino kits
- Laptops and an Interactive Flat Panel (IFP)
- Technical equipment from Union Interactive’s portfolio
Training & Professional Development
Union Interactive operates with a three-part business model: hardware sales, software sales, and teacher training. Their training approach is extensive, with 19 Ministry of Education–approved programs for professional development, including one focused exclusively on Arduino.
Training sessions are:
- 6–8 hours long, usually delivered in one day (sometimes two)
- Small group sizes – up to 15 participants, with Arduino courses often limited to 10 teachers (physics, math, and IT educators in particular)
- Available on-site, live online, or through Union Interactive’s teacher training portal (https://lms.interactivebg.com/
The Arduino kits currently used in training include:
- Arduino Starter Kit
- CTC GO! Core Module
- TinkerKit Braccio
- Engineering Kit Rev2
- Explore IoT Kit
- Science Kit Rev3
- Arduino Alvik
- Greenhouse Kit
Interestingly, Union Interactive’s trainer started without any Arduino experience. This turned into an advantage:
“Because he started from scratch, he speaks the same language as teachers who are new to Arduino. That makes the training much more relatable,” Nikolov explained.
Promoting the Lab
Union Interactive promotes its courses and Lab activities through online campaigns, Facebook ads, email outreach, and—crucially—through word of mouth among teachers and principals. Positive feedback has been key to growing their community.
Looking Ahead
As the Lab officially launches, Union Interactive is optimistic about the impact it will have on both educators and students.
“It’s too early to measure results, but we believe the Inspiration Lab will give teachers a place to gain confidence with Arduino and develop creative lesson ideas. For students, it will be a space to connect their classroom learning with real-world, hands-on projects in an engaging way,” said Nikolov.
By combining strong professional development with open opportunities for exploration, Union Interactive’s new Arduino Inspiration Lab is set to become a catalyst for STEM education in Bulgaria.