Press Release Thursday, October 4, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MOUSE Squad of California Exhibits Award-winning STEM Program at First Annual Northern California “Friend-Raiser” Event

MSCA Empowers Youth with 21st Century Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Skills

MOUSE Squad of California
Aspiranet
400 Oyster Point Blvd. Suite 501
South San Francisco, CA 94080
http://ca.mousesquad.org

Contact: Jan Half, Program Director
[email protected]
(408)712-5912

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, California — OCT 4, 2012 — Representatives from influential corporations in Northern California were on hand in Atherton at MOUSE Squad of California's (MSCA) first annual Northern California Friend-Raiser event. The event was designed to show attendees the excellent results delivered by MSCA's award-winning STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) educational program. Attendees had an opportunity to hear from and mingle with students, teachers, and program specialists to learn why MSCA is so effective in empowering youth with 21st Century technology skills. MSCA was recognized by The Silicon Valley Education Foundation with their 2011 STEM Benchmark Award.

“Every dollar donated to MSCA is essentially doubled in its impact to the community due to our focus on developing innovative curriculum and recruiting volunteers to work with students,” said Jan Half, MSCA Program Director. “Local squad coordinators train the students in computer technology basics and first line support skills so the students themselves can support their school and district tech projects, a service that is of critical value in school districts with thinly stretched IT staff.” The mutually beneficial arrangement is a brilliant and the successful new education paradigm is capturing growing interest throughout the state.

Students presenting at the Friend-Raiser event spoke of the tremendous impact the program has had on their lives and career goals. Students credited the program for helping them to strengthen their critical thinking skills and confidence to pursue education in STEM and other careers. Several cited exciting field trips to well respected technology companies as instrumental in building an understanding of career options in technology fields. Students enthusiastically shared their computer science knowledge and described MSCA lab exercises and their own real-world tech support experiences. A favorite theme was the pride and leadership students feel in helping their teachers and schools.

MOUSE Squad of California serves youth in over 100 locations including 50 in Silicon Valley, through an efficient online educational model. Study modules and resources are readily available on the MSCA website. Students use Help Desk portals to manage their activities and they distribute business cards with contact information to the teachers they support. Communication, leadership, problem solving and teamwork skills are enhanced with student “Meet-up” events where students and coordinators share experiences. As the need for technology skills grow increasingly important, MSCA is empowering both students and schools to succeed in the 21st century.

Donations made to MSCA in 2012 will be tripled by the Frieda C. Fox and Robert and Catherine Miller Charitable Foundations

Educators and parents wanting to start a MOUSE Squad in California

Corporations wanting to sponsor or partner with MOUSE Squad of California

Donations to MSCA

About MOUSE Squad of California: MOUSE Squad of California Student Tech Leadership has been empowering youth to provide leading edge technical support in their schools and communities since 2003. MOUSE Squad of California today provides innovative technology programming to over 2100 students in 60 school districts in 20 California counties.

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Contact: Jan Half, Program Director
[email protected]
(408)712-5912