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Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools and Education or MOUSE is a youth development and nonprofit organization[1] in New York City, United States focused on integrating technology with New York City education.[2][3] It was founded by Andrew Rasiej in 1997.[2] It targets schools in underserved communities,[4] as well as those with high levels of poverty or of minorities.[5]
Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools and Education | |
| Abbreviation | MOUSE |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1997 |
| Founder | Andrew Rasiej |
| Legal status | Nonprofit |
| Purpose | Youth development, technology education and support |
Region | New York City |
| Website | https://mouse.org |
MOUSE runs a program known as Mouse Squad, which focuses on troubleshooting technical problems with computers in New York public schools;[2] the program was founded in 2000.[6] Students in the after-school activity first go through six months of human-centered design training, followed by six months of working on making a prototype product with a mentor.[4] Students in New York City get a chance to graduate into a wing of the program known as Mouse Corps, which was founded sometime around 2008[when?].[4]
In addition to the Mouse Squad, MOUSE also sponsors more advanced[how?] technical training, job shadow programs, and college-bound workshops for high school students,[6] as well as providing expertise through industry partnerships.[1][clarification needed] The organization communicates through its newsletter MOUSE Droppings and through conferences.[1]
Sometime before 2001[when?], the organization teamed up with Arthur Anderson to create the Young Women's Technology Club.[1] As of 2000, the organization has about 1500 volunteers and an annual budget of nearly $2M.[7] As of 2006, it has over 200 students representing 32 schools.[8]
In its first official year, following two pilot seasons, 31 schools participated; the previous year, 13 schools did.[2]
A study conducted by Fordham University found that 87% of students who joined the MOUSE Squad felt like participation improved their academic skills and 92% of them felt that it increased their desire to stay in school.[9] According to a separate study, it saved a school $19,000 annually in technical support costs.[9]
As of 2012, the organization has over 80 Mouse Squad programs,[10] and was praised by Michael Bloomberg as "provid[ing] our city’s schools with the technological tools and support to keep our children competitive in the information age."[11]
On 4 April 2013, John C. Liu visited a MOUS program in Washington Heights, Manhattan.[12][unreliable source?] In a 2013 report, Liu recommended that MOUSE programs be offered at every public middle and high school.[13]
On 13 November 2014, the MOUSE Squad at the Stephen A. Halsey School was honored by an official proclamation at a city hall.[14] Among other things, the group works on 3D printing (including training other students and creating models of dinosaurs), creating games, Robotics, and helping to install new computers and printers.[14]
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