Digital Academy: CollabQuest
Introducing CollabQuest
Unique design experiences for autistic individuals aged 14 and above in the IOB community. CollabQuests are project-based learning programs in partnership with other organizations, institutions, or corporations. Students work from a design brief with the guidance of an experienced Creative Technologist and subject matter experts.
When you join a CollabQuest, you commit to working on a specific project, participating in in-person or hybrid events, and making progress on your design on your own time with structured support. You'll share your efforts on a digital whiteboard, where your design iterations can inspire the community.
During CollabQuests, you can expect to:
Design in iterations, improving your work over time
Have time to work independently between meetings
Collaborate with others and learn together
Experience teamwork and give/receive constructive feedback
Most of the creative work takes place outside of CollabQuest meetings intentionally. You'll share your design progress with others in the challenge and receive support as your project develops.
With a student-to-mentor ratio of 6:1 and flexible support, you'll have guidance whenever needed. CollabQuests begin with a free kick-off event, and if you're interested, you can register to access a calendar of events, structured meeting times, guided learning activities, self-paced tutorials, and project resources.
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
CollabQuests have a varied schedule of dates and times
Eight neurodivergent Islands of Brilliance students take part in a Digital Academy CollabQuest, during which they do field research and then work on a professional design project for Serpentijn Art + Athletics.
Program Outcomes
Stress-free learning environment
Safe and supportive atmosphere
Enhanced creativity and communication
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Collaborative learning and teamwork
Courage and self-management skills
Self-determined growth and digital citizenship
Skills in emerging technologies
Improved social skills and relationships
Community-oriented and mindful behavior
Responsible decision-making and empowered learning
Knowledge construction and active learning
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.
Yerkes Observatory: Exoplanet Discovery Time
Dates: Saturday, April 13 and Thursdays, May 2 - 23
Community Partner: Yerkes Observatory
Cost: $660
Project Objective
Ever find yourself imagining what habitats, plants, and animals on other worlds might look like?
In the second Neuro X Sprint students will use Adobe's Generative AI to create habitats, and the flora & fauna of a new world.
If selecting this Collab Quest students should be interested in scientific methods as well as topics related to outer space.
CollabQuest April/May Schedule
Saturday, April 13, 3:30-5:00 pm
In-Person (Yerkes Observatory, 373 W Geneva St, Williams Bay, WI 53191 map)
Thursdays, May 2-May 23, 4:00-6:00 pm
Hybrid (Zoom or Lubar Entrepreneurship Center: 2100 E Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53211)
Students will use the conditions of the environment and guidance from Yerkes Observatory Subject Matter Experts to create otherworldly speculative images.
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 Other Programs
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Sandbox Programs
Our most frequent and accessible options, Sandbox Programs provide a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment for your child to learn, create, and connect.
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Foundation Programs
Students are paired 1:1 with a professional design mentor to learn technical software skills using Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe Illustrator as well as 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.