Our mission is to provide youth access to technology-based opportunities that motivate students to succeed in today's information society while providing a service to their schools. MSCA seeks to:
- Improve educational, social and personal outcomes for students by providing them access to high quality 21st century learning experiences;
- Engage students in their own education and as active members of their educational community; and
- Provide students with a first step along an educational, personal and professional growth continuum that ultimately equips them with college, career and life skills.
- Leadership skills: MSCA students develop responsibility, project management, teamwork, leadership and organizational skills. These tools support students’ growth academically, personally and socially, helping students improve their chances for career and economic success.
- Technology skills: MSCA provides opportunities for hands-on training and project-based technology learning, building important 21st century Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) skills, including problem-solving, communications, computer applications and technology troubleshooting.
- School and community support: MSCA empowers students to improve the use of technology in their schools and communities, and helps educators have the working computers they need to effectively use technology in the classroom. This results in enhanced relationships among students, faculty, and administrators who rely on the technology services and leadership provided by MSCA students, and creates a technology-focused learning community.
MSCA, in its 8th year of operation, enables upper elementary, middle, and high school students to provide a service to their schools, while they learn Information Technology (IT), customer service, communication, and leadership skills. It can be an after-school program or an in-school elective.
The core elements of the program include:
- Online curriculum with computer, software, troubleshooting and problem solving modules
- Hands-on activities, quizzes and performance-based assessments
- Student-run help desk with paper and/or online ticket management systems
- Volunteers to assist with curriculum, help desk and mentoring
- Internships for high school youth
MOUSE Squad of California (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 (Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools & Education), a New York City-based non-profit.