Beta · November 2026
Pick a project. We'll help you finish it.
Side Quest is ShiftKey’s new project platform, hosted right inside Brightspace. Choose an open-ended project, build it on your own schedule, and walk away with something worth putting on your resume. This November, we’re looking for 40 beta testers, and it’s paid.
10–15 hours
Total, at your own pace
Paid
For every beta tester who finishes
Brightspace
No new apps to learn
40 spots
Any year, any program
What is Side Quest?
Side Quest is a set of guided projects on Brightspace. Each one takes you from a rough idea to a finished build. You pitch it, plan it, build it, then package it for your resume or LinkedIn.
It’s built for the parts that usually stall a personal project: finding a good idea, keeping the scope realistic, and getting it over the finish line.
Along the way you’ll work on the technical side, like code, APIs and data, and on the skills interviewers ask about just as often, like communicating clearly, managing your time and scoping work.
What you get
- Paid. Beta testers get paid for finishing their project and giving feedback.
- A portfolio piece. Something you built yourself and can demo in an interview.
- Feedback. We review your pitch and your finished project.
- New skills. On a project you picked, at a level you set.
The projects
Choose one. Each takes about 10 to 15 hours.
PROJECT 01
Web accessibility
Find a website that’s hard to use, whether it’s a form that breaks without a mouse or a page a screen reader can’t follow. Document the problem, then build the fix.
HTML · CSS · JSFront-end and UX
PROJECT 02
Persona-driven AI agent
We hand you a fictional person’s phone: their calendar, notifications, reminders and Screen Time. Figure out what’s tripping them up, then build an agent or chatbot that helps. Choose between a retired teacher, a nursing student on the varsity swim team, and a gig driver.
LLMs · PromptingAI integration
PROJECT 03
Data insight
Halifax publishes its building permit data online. Dig through it, find a problem hiding in the numbers, and build software that does something about it. Two people can start with the same data and end up with completely different tools.
Data cleaning · AnalysisData science
Not sure you're ready?
You don’t need to be an expert. The projects are open-ended, so you decide how ambitious to get and which languages or tools to use. If you’re newer to coding, keep it simple. That’s what this is for.
Stuck choosing?
Think about the job you want next. Then go with the project that makes you a little nervous.
How it works
Every project follows the same six steps. Each one unlocks when you finish the last, and resources are pinned to the top of every module.
1
Intake form
Rate your current skills and choose a project.
2
Pitch
Describe the problem and how you’ll solve it. One page max.
3
Work plan
Set your milestones and schedule. Once it’s approved, try to stick to it.
4
Build
Most of your hours go here.
5
Showcase
Turn it into a LinkedIn post, resume entry, README or demo video.
6
Exit form
Retake the skills check and see how much you’ve grown.
What we need from beta testers
You’re testing the platform as much as the project. Along the way, we’ll ask you to:
Take notes
Jot down where you got confused or weren't sure what to do next. It's hard to remember once you're done.
Report problems
Typos, broken links, unclear steps. A screenshot and a sentence over email or Teams is plenty.
Log your hours
We're checking our time estimates, so be honest. If you're well past 15 hours, tell us early.
Send ideas
Ways to improve the platform, or ideas for new projects. Good ones might show up in a future Side Quest.
Dates
After you sign up, we’ll email you to confirm your spot at the Nov 5 meeting.
Now
Sign up
Register with your Dal email at shiftkeylabs.ca/register.
Nov 2
Brightspace opens
You’re added to the course. Fill out the intake form and have a look around.
Nov 5
Beta tester meeting
A walkthrough of the course, how payment works, and time for questions. Start your project any time after.
Nov 27
Wrap-up
Tentative. The date may move, but it’ll stay in the same week.
FAQ
Still have questions? Email kewellgriffith@dal.ca.
Who can sign up?
Any Dal student, in any year or program, at any experience level.
Do I need a lot of coding experience?
No. You pick the tools and decide how big to go. Choose something that stretches you a bit.
How long does it take?
About 10 to 15 hours in total, on your own schedule.
Can I do more than one project?
It’s one per person for the beta. If yours isn’t working out, let us know and we’ll help you switch.
Can I use AI?
Yes. Keep a log of your prompts, what you used, and anything it got wrong.
How does payment work?
You’re paid once you finish your project and the exit form. We’ll go over the amount and the process at the Nov 5 meeting.
How do I know when I'm done?
You’ll define “done” in your pitch, and we’ll make sure it’s clear before you start. Rule of thumb: if you solved the problem you pitched, you’re done.
What if I get stuck?
Check the resources in each module, post on the Brightspace discussion board, or message us on Teams or by email.
I missed the info session. Can I still join?
Yes. Sign up and we’ll email you the details for the Nov 5 meeting.
40 spots. Starts Nov 2.
Sign up now and we’ll email you to confirm your spot.
