A yearlong, funded partnership between Mouse, NYC Public Schools, and 100+ NYC teachers to foster youth voice and digital innovation
Middle and high school teachers at NYC public schools across the city are bringing Mouse's Design League program into their classrooms, guiding student teams as they create meaningful original tech projects, to address a social need in their communities.
Are you interested in the 2023-2024 Design League NYC program?
Building on three years of amazing programming focused on youth voice and digital innovation, Mouse is looking to gauge interest for the 2023-2024 school year. Our application isn't open yet, but if you're interested in being part of Design League next year, please fill out the following interest form:
Questions? Email: designleague@mouse.org
“Going from a community of learners to a community of tech creators is really powerful.”
– Sofia Russo, Principal at High School for Media and Communications
School Eligibility
★ Are you an NYC public middle school or high school?
★ Are you invested in the professional growth of your teachers?
★ Are you interested in having your students work with industry professionals?
★ Are you committed to fostering youth voice, creativity, and project-based learning?
Hear What Last Year’s Students Had to Say!
“Mouse provided one of the best professional development opportunities that I have ever attended. So creative and thorough. I cannot wait to hit the ground running!”
– Mary Beth Quick, Teacher at IS 7 Elias Bernstein
2022-2023 Design League Timeline
2022-2023 Teacher Impact
In 2022-2023, Mouse provided Design League teachers with:
9 two-hour after school required PDs
3 hours of coaching per school
Multiple optional enrichment PDs, in partnership with CSforAllNYC
Industry professionals to mentor their students
An adaptable scope and sequence for the Design League curriculum
Guidance to plan and implement an end-of-year school fair
Access to the digital learning platform and curriculum on Mouse Create
Digital portfolios for documenting their program integration plan, their learning and reflection, and their students’ progress
Teachers who successfully complete their portfolio receive a Design Thinking Educator Micro-Credential backed by Credly
“There are very few solutions to the problems of this world that are spur of the moment or improvised. Mouse Design League got students thinking and planning carefully about ways to fix a problem, and also collaborating with each other – something that is invaluable, and will prepare them for college and also their future careers.”
– David Choi, Teacher at Bronx International High School
About Our Partnership
2021-2022 Mouse Design League Program
In 2021-2022, Mouse supported 42 schools across New York City's five boroughs in partnership with the Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT), part of the New York City Department of Education.
3816 students -- engaged with Design League curriculum in classrooms and after school programs.
124 teachers -- received PD and individual coaching sessions, along with each school’s Design League Ambassador (Principal, AP, or designee).
101 tech and design professionals -- spent over 200 hours mentoring classes of students and reviewing projects as students developed community-centered design projects.
356 final projects -- were presented at school-wide fairs, and winners had the opportunity to showcase their projects at the 2022 Emoti-Con.
Student Impact
The highest growth for Student's Career Readiness capacity is seen in Goal Orientation and Creativity and Innovation.
Learn more about student outcomes and see example projects. Design League Main Page >
“Our Mouse Design League students grew so much in just a few months. They got to understand the real-life implications of how to use technology to solve problems.”
– Pauline Kim, Teacher at I.S. 145 Magnet School of Innovation and Applied Learning
Additional ways to participate in Design League
Do you teach at a public school?
Run Design League yourself (from anywhere!) with the Design with Purpose course on Mouse Create, which has 200+ hands-on projects. Access free curriculum >
Are you a student interested in joining Design League?
High school students in NYC can apply to join Mouse’s own after school Design League programs, which start each fall. Students sign up here >
Questions? Email: designleague@mouse.org
“Design League gets students to express what they’re thinking, why they believe it is important, what has influenced them to think this way, and what data and justification they have for their beliefs. This is really well-aligned to all of our priority standards and our priority focus skills. And even the fact that Mouse provided a program map for teachers – there was a curriculum map, there was a syllabus, there was a pacing guide. It was just so well put together. And all of the teachers felt really supported.”
– Sofia Russo, Principal at High School for Media and Communications