Digital Education & Maker Workshops for Schools in Augsburg and Swabia
KidsLab is a nonprofit organisation from Augsburg that has been running coding and maker workshops at schools across Swabia for years — from primary school to secondary school (Gymnasium), with materials and equipment included. Our offers can be funded through the Chancenbudget (Pillar II) of the German Startchancen programme.
Our offers for schools
We come right to your school — with all the equipment you need. No effort for the teacher, no purchase costs.
All workshops are run by our mentors. Teachers need no prior knowledge and can use the lesson as supervision time or a break.
Funding through the Startchancen programme
The Startchancen programme (running 2024–2034) provides additional funding to schools in challenging circumstances. For external partners like KidsLab, Pillar II (Chancenbudget) is relevant:
- Who decides? School leadership decides independently based on need — Bavaria does not prescribe a binding catalogue of measures.
- How much budget? On average around €82,000 per school per year (Pillar II Chancenbudget).
- How is it billed? Via a fee or service contract; state schools process payments through the at:las portal of the Bavarian State Office for Schools.
- How many schools? In the city of Augsburg alone, 25 schools take part, around 580 schools across Bavaria.
How the process works
- Get in touch: gregor@kidslab.de or 0821-99951920 — we’ll advise on which offer fits your school.
- Get a quote: KidsLab prepares a written quote for the fee or service contract.
- Run the workshop: we come to your school with all the equipment.
- Invoice via at:las: state schools can conveniently settle the invoice through the at:las portal.
Our experience at Startchancen schools
KidsLab is already working successfully with Startchancen schools in Augsburg. Three examples from practice:
Drei-Auen primary school, Augsburg-Oberhausen
The Drei-Auen primary school has been part of the Startchancen programme since 2024. KidsLab runs a tech club there that keeps evolving from term to term:
- Phase 1: introduction to programming with Scratch — own games and animations, no prior knowledge needed
- Phase 2: game development in GamesLab — one participant won a category prize at the Augsburger GamesPreis (presented by Digital Minister Mehring)
- Phase 3: robotics with LEGO Spike Prime — building your own robots, connecting motors and sensors, controlling them by program
- Phase 4 (current, 2025/26 school year): stop-motion videos — students produce their own animated films, combining creativity, technology, and storytelling
“The enthusiasm was immediately noticeable: as soon as the parts were on the table, kids were already building, plugging in, and testing.”
More about the tech club at Drei-Auen school →
Democracy in Minecraft — Martinsschule Augsburg
At the Martinsschule in Augsburg, KidsLab ran the format Democracy in Minecraft: students plan and design a digital city together in Luanti/Minetest (open source), make democratic decisions via a consensus machine, and experience direct participation — digitally and in person at the same time.
More about Democracy in Minecraft →
Building a MakerSpace — school in preparation
KidsLab is currently advising another Startchancen school in Augsburg on setting up its own MakerSpace: from room planning to equipment (3D printers, robots, coding material) to onboarding teachers. The format combines a project day with consulting.
More about the MakerSpace offer →
For which schools
KidsLab serves all school types — with a focus on Augsburg and Swabia:
| School type | Recommended offers |
|---|---|
| Primary school (grades 1–4) | Robot Mouse, ScratchJr, LEGO Robotics, 3D printing |
| Mittelschule (grades 5–9) | GamesLab, LEGO Robotics, 3D printing, AI workshop |
| Gymnasium / Realschule | GamesLab, AI workshops, MakerSpace, Minecraft democracy |
| Special-needs school | Robot Mouse, ScratchJr (individually adapted) |
| Teachers of all school types | AI for Teachers (training) |
We are a nonprofit, have no commercial interests, and are fully focused on education. All the tools we use (Scratch, Luanti/Minetest, TinkerCAD) are free and privacy-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
What can I fund with the Chancenbudget of the Startchancen programme?
The Chancenbudget (Pillar II) funds extracurricular offers, clubs, workshops, and cooperations with external partners. School leadership decides independently — Bavaria doesn’t prescribe a fixed catalogue. The average budget is around €82,000 per school per year. Coding and maker workshops from KidsLab are a typical example of a fundable measure.
Who decides on commissioning external providers?
School leadership decides independently based on need. Unlike, say, Baden-Württemberg or Berlin, Bavaria does not prescribe a binding catalogue of measures. That’s deliberate: schools should choose what fits their own situation.
How do I find external partners for the Chancenbudget?
Via the Startchancen noticeboard in the Bavarian school portal (km.bayern.de), through direct recommendations from other schools, or through internet research. KidsLab is listed on the noticeboard and available for direct inquiries.
Is KidsLab only for Startchancen schools?
No — KidsLab offers workshops for all schools in Augsburg and Swabia. For schools without Startchancen status, there’s the Schule+ programme (50% funding) or regular booking. We’re happy to advise on funding options.
Which workshops are suitable for primary school?
From grade 1: Robot Mouse (coding without a screen), ScratchJr/OctoStudio (stories and games). From grade 3: LEGO Robotics with Spike Prime, 3D printing & CAD with TinkerCAD. All materials are brought along.
How many Startchancen schools are there in Augsburg and Bavaria?
In the city of Augsburg alone, 25 schools take part in the Startchancen programme (2024/25 and 2025/26 cohorts). Across Bavaria: around 580 schools, of which about 60% are primary and special-needs schools.
Contact
KidsLab gGmbH — nonprofit organisation for digital education, Augsburg
- Email: gregor@kidslab.de
- Phone / WhatsApp: 0821-99951920
- Address: Augsburg, Bavaria
We typically reply within 24 hours and are happy to arrange a short call to discuss the right offer for your school.
Last updated: June 2026