Paula Zarruk

Argentinian edtech pioneer who democratized STEM education through immersive online platforms reaching 2 million+ Latin American students

Paula Zarruk is a visionary educator whose Código Facilito platform transformed Latin America's tech education landscape. Born in 1985 in Buenos Aires, she identified a critical gap in STEM access for Spanish-speaking students and launched her online learning platform in 2009. Her innovative approach combined gamified learning with culturally relevant content, creating courses like 'Programming for Latinas' and 'AI for Social Impact.' By 2023, the platform had trained over 2 million students across 18 countries, with 60% coming from underserved communities. Zarruk pioneered the 'pay-what-you-can' model, allowing marginalized learners to access premium content while corporations sponsor scholarships. Her work led to UNESCO's ICT in Education award in 2020 and inspired Chile's national digital education strategy. Beyond coding, Zarruk's CoderDojo network operates 150 physical learning centers in rural areas, offering free robotics and AI workshops. She advocates for 'tech bilingualism,' ensuring students learn both technical skills and critical thinking. Zarruk's impact extends beyond education: 40% of her graduates now work in tech startups, contributing $1.2B in regional economic growth. Her memoir Codeando Sueños became a bestseller, detailing her journey from Buenos Aires barrio to global edtech leader.