Mouse Squad of California

Mission Mouse_California’s mission is to empower underserved youth, grades 4 – 12, to learn, lead, create and collaborate with technology, preparing them with skills essential for their academic and career success. Why Mouse_California Technology is everywhere, entwined in almost every part of our lives, affecting how we work, connect and interact with others. In this increasingly digital world, it is critical that we prepare our students to not just consume technology, but also create and contribute with technology for the betterment of our world. Mouse is a national youth development nonprofit that believes in technology as a force for good. We’re committed to helping schools and educators empower their students to realize their full potential—and the potential of technology—to solve real world problems and make meaningful change. What we do We design and develop original program content that expand minds through hands-on projects and creative, dynamic experiences. Purpose-driven content such as Green Tech and Serious Games helps students develop the technical, problem-solving and leadership skills necessary to harness the power of technology as a force for good. Projects Mouse continues to build curriculum and create new project-based learning. Projects include: Serious Games – discover the building blocks of game design, explore the world of socially responsible gaming and finish with a basic prototype & portfolio for a digital game you designed yourself in Scratch. Green Tech – learn how technology is powered and how to help reduce the harm that it can do to our environment. Robotics –explore the basics of Physical Computing, and learn how electronic components come together to make technologies work. From complex robots to microwave ovens, it all starts with these basics. Tech Support – students become the tech experts on campus; training teachers on emerging technology and supporting the school computer paradigm (1:1, labs, etc). Results Mouse has significant impact in STEM learning, pro-social behavior and future aspirations: 85% of youth increase their technology skills; 80% increase their ability to think creatively; 85% report an increased ability to work on teams; 75% improve in their ability to teach technology to others; 89% say Mouse encouraged them to graduate from high school and helped them prepare for college. Mouse students are making meaningful change at schools throughout California. Are you ready to join us? Contact Diana Wong, Program Manager at dwong@aspiranet.org.