Mouse Squad of California

 

Ensure That Your Students Receive

21st Century Technology Learning

 

MOUSE Squad of California (MSCA), began with 5 Silicon Valley middle schools in 2004, and is now in 105 schools and agencies throughout California. It can be an after-school program or an in-school elective.

The core elements of the nonprofit MSCA program include:

100-hour online curriculum with technology and workplace modules

Hands-on activities and service learning projects

Tech focus areas and/or student-run help desk with ticket management systems

Volunteers to assist with curriculum, help desk, mentoring; field trips for students; internships for high school youth.

Prerequisites for successful implementation include:

• 5 - 25 students interested in learning about computer technologies
• Computing devices with Internet access
• Instructors interested in teaching online technology and workplace curriculum
• An administrator supportive of students assisting teachers with tech projects
• Parents who champion student tech leaders
• Funding from sources such as After-School, Career Tech Ed, 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grants, site or district magnet program allocations, local businesses, foundations, or service organizations, i.e. Lions Club or Rotary.

​Schools and agencies that apply by September 16, 2013 for 2013 program implementation:

Have preference for a MSCA mini-grant

May attend September 2013 training for MSCA instructors/coordinators

What students say about MOUSE Squad: "I like helping my teachers figure out tech problems. It actually makes me feel happier than I usually am. MOUSE Squad has helped me improve my grades in science and math and that makes my parents happy, too."



What parents say about MOUSE Squad:  “MOUSE Squad Student Tech is a uniquely valuable program because it gives my daughters real-world job experiences and the technical knowledge, critical thinking skills and confidence to pursue technology education and careers. At our school, MOUSESquad has made it cool to know about technology.”

To learn more about what’s happening at MOUSE Squad, visit the MSCA website.

MSCA is a program of Aspiranet, a non-profit organization that provides after-school, youth development, and community technology programs, as well as children and family services in California. MSCA is in partnership with MOUSE, a New York City-based non- profit.