Computer problem? Hire a MOUSE

Eighth grade students at The Bayside S.T.E.M. ACADEMY in San Mateo began offering faculty a third option this week: Student labor. Twenty-two eighth grade students started this year as part of the MOUSE Squad — one of the tech classes offered at S.T.E.M. teaching students not only how troubleshoot computer issues but also how to work with adults in a business environment. Students spent the first part of the year learning all things computer. This week, a letter went out to faculty introducing the new in-house tech support team.

"We started receiving e-mails right away,” said tech and electronics teacher Rob Bolt. "One teacher had 20 problems.”

Bolt first heard about the program while attending a seminar at the Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College this summer. The MOUSE Squad is a curriculum-based learning program throughout California schools, including others in San Mateo County. Through it, students learn basic technology information through hands-on activities to become technicians.

Bolt was particularly interested in the aspect of putting these skills to use through a business model. At the moment, the class is only eighth-grade students. Sixth-grade students will join during the last trimester, allowing the older students to mentor the group who will help keep the program going.

Thirteen-year-old Erika Gonzalez did not know anything more than how to use programs she needed on a computer before taking the class.

Laena Otsuka, who will soon be 14, was also a bit intimidated to start the class.

Francesca Woo, who will also soon be 14, described her father as the family’s personal Geek Squad, meaning she’d seen someone work on computers but never had the chance to do so herself.

Shannon Chen, 13, never thought she could fix a computer.

Yesterday, the girls worked with fellow MOUSE Squad member Maui Nogawa to examine why the CD-ROM drive was not working in two of the class computers.

Without adults looking over their shoulders, the girls broke into two groups and began disassembling the computers, looking inside, reconnecting the computer and checking for changes. Within an hour, one of the two computers was fixed.

On top of having the ability to fix computers on site, the squad gets to help teachers.

Otsuka is excited to teach the teachers, which is going on this week. Students are visiting each teacher on campus to train them on the Web-based program MOUSE Squad uses to request work. Students are broken into groups for each day. Those students come in on their assigned day to check tickets and get to work.

Students have also had a chance to meet Oracle volunteers Yi Ru and Weihong Wang, who work with the kids explaining what they do as a profession using computer technology skills.

Chen had never thought of technology as a profession before. She’s not sure it will be her job of choice, but it’s on her mind.

If a student’s interest is truly piqued by the class, there is an opportunity for further education as Aragon High School offers the program as well.

Principal Jeanne Elliott was excited by the new program and said it allowed students to further leadership skills while taking ownership for their work.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.