Personal support for your game project — we help you stick with it.

Become a mentor at GamesLab 2026

A morning that makes a difference

Do you remember what it feels like to learn something new — and suddenly it clicks? That moment when confusion turns into understanding, and "I can't do this" turns into a proud "I made this!"?

That's exactly the moment 20–25 students experience every morning at GamesLab.

They arrive with their class, often with no prior experience, and three hours later they go home with a game they programmed themselves. For many, it's their first real contact with programming — and you can be there when the spark catches.

Why we need you

The students don't need coding professionals. They need people like you — people who:

• Are patient when someone asks for the third time why the loop isn't running

• Genuinely celebrate when the first game works

• Show that programming isn't rocket science

• Pass on their enthusiasm for technology authentically

Event details at a glance

When: January 15 to February 12, 2026 (Monday to Thursday)
Time: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm (4 hours)
Where: Zwischenzeit, Annastraße 16, Augsburg (pedestrian zone, 3 min. from Königsplatz)
Who: school classes (grades 5–13), approx. 20–25 students per workshop
Team: 2 mentors per day
Pay: €15/hour (Übungsleiterpauschale = tax-free in Germany)

Sign up!

Just send a short email to gregor@kidslab.de or a WhatsApp message!

How a workshop day works

8:30 am: Arrival

Short briefing, check laptops, lay out materials. The class arrives at 9 am.

Your role: arrive relaxed, quick chat with the other mentor.

9:00 – 11:30 am: Workshop

Students get to know Scratch and build their own games:

• Technical help: when the code doesn't run

• Encourage: when frustration builds up

• Celebrate together: when it works

• Move around: make sure nobody gets left behind

11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Wrap-up

Students show off their games and celebrate their successes. Then: tidy up and a short feedback round.

Your role: clap, praise, marvel — and mean it. Then pack away the laptops together.

Time commitment

Before it starts:

• Mentor meeting in January (date by arrangement)

• Introduction to Scratch and the workshop format

During GamesLab:

• You sign up for the days that work for you

• No minimum — even a single day helps

• 5 weeks, 4 days per week = 20 possible dates

Ideal for:

• Students with a flexible schedule

• Working people who can take a morning off

• Anyone looking for a change from everyday life

What you should bring

What matters:

• Enthusiasm for working with young people

• Patience — a lot of it

• The ability to show enthusiasm

• Reliability on the days you sign up for

What helps:

• Basic knowledge of Scratch or another programming language

• Experience with children or teenagers

• Staying calm when 25 students shout "help!" at once

Not necessary:

• A computer science degree or training

• Prior experience as a mentor

• Answers to every technical question

• Pedagogical training

Still hesitating?

"I can barely use Scratch myself"
No problem. You'll get an introduction, and the basics take about an hour to learn. The students start from zero — you just need to be one step ahead.

"I have no experience with kids"
The teacher is there and knows the class. You're the technical support, not the pedagogical lead.

"What if I can't answer a question?"
Then you say: "Good question, let's figure it out together." That's exactly how programming works.

Ready to join?

Just get in touch:

Let us know briefly which days would work for you — or that you'd like more info first. Either is totally fine.

Email: gregor@kidslab.de
WhatsApp/phone: 0821-99951920

Not your thing?

No problem! Maybe you know someone who'd be perfect for it? Students, apprentices, tech-enthusiastic people with free mornings — we appreciate every tip.