Digital Academy: CollabQuest
Creative Challenges for Neurodivergent Learners
CollabQuest is a project-based design experience for neurodivergent individuals (14+) in the IOB community. In partnership with leading organizations, participants tackle real-world design challenges with guidance from experienced mentors.
Each CollabQuest includes:
A structured design challenge based on a real-world brief
Collaboration with peers and industry professionals
Flexible, self-paced work with structured support
Opportunities to share progress and receive feedback
CollabQuest meetings provide guidance and collaboration, while most design work happens independently. Participants receive a 6:1 student-to-mentor ratio, access to learning resources, and a digital workspace to showcase their progress.
Register to join a creative journey where innovation meets community!
What does it look like?
Here’s a look at a past CollabQuest, where eight neurodivergent Islands of Brilliance students conducted field research and designed mud guards for Serpentijn Art + Athletics.
Program Outcomes
Creative Problem-Solving – Strengthen critical thinking and innovation skills.
Collaboration & Communication – Work effectively with peers and mentors.
Independence & Self-Management – Build confidence in self-directed learning.
Real-World Skills – Gain experience with emerging technologies and teamwork.
Supportive & Inclusive Environment – Learn in a stress-free, community-focused space.
This Program is a Good Fit For
Students 14+ who love to dive deep in learning new software, working on a team, and find meaning in work-based learning.
Please note:
CollabQuests are open to anyone in the IOB community ages 14+
Students will be expected to work on their projects outside of the scheduled meeting times
Our Next CollabQuest…
Design a Mascot for Toast Restaurant!
Toast, a beloved Milwaukee café in Walker’s Point, is inviting our learners to help create something special. Participants will visit the restaurant, meet the owner, and soak in the vibe of the space before taking on a real creative challenge: design a fresh, original Toast-themed character or mascot that could live on a limited-edition T-shirt sold in the restaurant.
One final design will be selected, produced, and sold at Toast, with a portion of the proceeds supporting Islands of Brilliance programs. This is a genuine client brief, with real constraints, real feedback, and real-world impact.
Project Details
Format: In-Person
Dates: Thursday, March 5, and Saturdays, March 14, 21, and 28
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm CT
Duration: One On-site Client Experience + Three 2-Hour IOB Studio Sessions
Price: $410
Locations:
Thursday, March 5, 10:00 am–12:00 pm: Kick off experience at Toast Milwaukee (231 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204)
Saturdays, March 14, 21, 28: Collaborative Design time at IOB’s Studio at the Eagleknit
(507 S 2nd St, Suite 305, Milwaukee, WI 53204)
What to Expect:
Visit a Real Client Site: Participants will visit Toast, meet the staff, and experience the space to gather inspiration and understand the brand firsthand.
Work from a Professional Design Brief: Students will take on an authentic branding challenge, designing a Toast‑inspired character or mascot within real‑world constraints and goals.
Hands‑On Illustration & Branding Design: Participants will sketch, design, and refine original character concepts that could live on a limited‑edition T‑shirt sold in the restaurant.
Guided Feedback & Iteration: Learners will receive mentor guidance and structured feedback, revising their designs through multiple iterations—just like professional designers.
Real‑World Impact: One final design will be selected, produced, and sold at Toast, with proceeds supporting Islands of Brilliance programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About CollabQuest
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CollabQuest is Hybrid (online and in-person). Some sessions will be at partner locations and other sessions will be online.
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Digital Academy uses creative technologies and community as a bridge to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) development. All DA programs assume that the student can work with some level of independence in a group setting with roaming support by IOB staff including IOB Creative Technologists, Mentors, and/or Special Educators.
Students who need one-to-one support may find other IOB programs – such as Foundation Workshops – a better fit. Please contact the IOB Team (connect@islandsofbrilliance.org) if you have specific questions regarding the support your student may need.
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There is an expectation that students will focus on good decision-making skills and work on guided tasks on their own time between Thursday CollabQuest sessions. CollabQuests programs that happen as consecutive day workshops/camps would have less outside of work time.
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Students get a badge ring when they enter DA Programming with slots for earning badges. These badges indicate each student's level of engagement and are not representative of any rank. Each completed CollabQuest/Sprint carries a unique 'Einstein hat.' These badges come together to create a non-repeating pattern. CollabQuest badges are awarded at the end of a CollabQuest and stay with the student for the duration of their time at IOB.
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No. DA sessions are not recorded. Attendance is critical to success. However, IOB understands sometimes unexpected circumstances and calendar conflicts arise. IOB will work with families where possible. IOB staff cannot offer time to make up missed CollabQuest sessions because we are working with an outside partner's time and schedule.
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Follow this link to register.
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Chris Willey, the Director of Technology at IOB, is the main person behind all Digital Academy programming. Please email chris@islandsofbrilliance.org with questions.
Explore Our Programs
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Open Lab Programs
Our most frequent and accessible options, Open Lab Programs provide a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment for your child to learn, create, and connect…including our Daily Doodle Lounge!
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Foundation Programs
Led by a certified educator, students are paired with a professional design mentor to learn technical software skills using various creative technologies and build social and emotional development skills.
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Academy Programs
The most rigorous IOB program, Digital Academy provides apprentice-style instruction in a product-based learning environment.
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Community Programs
Whether you’re a young adult living with autism or is someone who loves and supports them, we know life can be challenging. Our Community Support programs provide professional and peer guidance to help along the journey.