​Side Quest is a new maker studio concept for teenagers. The idea is simple: your teen walks in with something they want to make, and over the session they turn it into something real — a prototype, a poster, a plan, a pitch, whatever the idea demands.

​This is a pilot session. We're testing the format with a small group before launching a full four-week program later this year. Your teenager gets a real creative experience. We get honest feedback from you and them.

​How it works

​Before the workshop: When you sign up, your teen answers three short questions about what they want to make. This helps us prepare materials and group projects that work well together.

​During the workshop (3 hours):

• ​We start with a fast, hands-on exercise that walks everyone through the design process — finding a problem, sketching a solution, building a rough prototype, getting feedback

• ​Each teen then shapes their own idea into a concrete project plan

• ​Two hours of deep making — with guidance, materials, and support

• ​The session ends with everyone sharing what they made

​After the workshop: We'll ask both you and your teen for honest feedback. That's the deal — a great afternoon for them, useful insights for us.

​Who it's for

​Teenagers aged 11–14 who have an idea they want to bring to life. It doesn't need to be fully formed — "I want to make a board game" or "I want to design something for my school" or "I have this product idea" are all great starting points. They don't need to be "artsy" or "techy." They need to be curious and willing to try.

​A note on sign-ups

​Spots are limited to 5 teenagers. When you register, your teen will answer a few questions about their idea. We'll confirm your spot within 48 hours — we're curating the group so that projects complement each other and we can prepare the right materials. This isn't a selectivity thing — it's a logistics thing.

​Who's running this?

​Sascha Mombartz is a designer, strategist, and educator based in Brooklyn. He's spent 15 years helping entrepreneurs, inventors, and subject matter experts turn ideas into real things — working with The New York Times, Google Creative Lab, and dozens of startups through his consultancy, Office for Visual Affairs. He teaches at the School of Visual Arts and co-created the Community Canvas, used by 200,000+ people worldwide.

​At Side Quest, Sascha brings the same process he uses with founders and organizations to teenagers: listen to the idea, find the achievable version, and guide the messy, rewarding work of making it real.