TCEA2010-Mouse+Squad+Saves+the+Day

Janis** & Kristen - (She was lurking in on my wiki)
 * The Mouse Squad Saves the Day

IDEA: Mouse Support student for each teacher that is participating in the T3 grant.

History of MOUSE.org -- Best Buy is the Parent Organization

Have students in the room that are empowered to help teachers. Mouse has a very visible and positive impact in education but mostly in the northeast. It is a partnership with Microsoft.

Abilene ISD is the first in the state of texas.

An innovation youth development program, Mouse Squad prepares and supports students in establishing and managing leading edge technical support help desks in their school.

Provides technical support and professional development essential for teachers to effectively integrate technology into the classroom.

Benefits to Students:
 * Students feel a sense of empowerment.
 * Curriculum on the website with training modules (10 modules). Entire module on "soft skills"- how do you interact with teachers
 * Training
 * Involvement - these students are more likely to attend school; most of their students are not involved in anything else; this gives them a sense of involvement.
 * Improved Academic Skills
 * Leadership Skills
 * Sense of belonging
 * Improved Self-esteem
 * Career Opportunities

Program Specifics:
 * Cost $1000 per year for curriculum and other materials. Join at http://www.mouse.org.
 * Meet once a week.
 * Create a Help Desk.
 * Students are building Help Tutorials (movies for teachers).

What MOUSE Squad Looks like at AISD. ..
 * Teacher Support
 * Technology Showcase - students were technicians at the showcase
 * Computer Replacements in Classrooms
 * Technology Surveys - Inventory
 * Computer Re-image
 * Cable Maintenance
 * Projects
 * Field Trips