Green Tech Program Funded by Three-Year, $1.08 million grant from the National Science Foundation

NEW YORK, February 20, 2014 – Mouse, a national youth development nonprofit that empowers students to use technology as a force for good, in partnership with Solar One, a nonprofit that provides education and resources that create more sustainable urban environments, is pleased to announce the official launch of Green Tech, a program that provides youth with an opportunity to positively impact the greening of their schools and communities.

Green Tech, funded by a three-year, $1.08 million grant from the National Science Foundation to Solar One, Mouse, and the NYU Wallerstein Collaborative, is an initiative to boost youth interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills while introducing them to environmental sustainability and green technology.

“Mouse is about harnessing the spirit and talent of young people to affect change through technology, which for us starts with their learning environment,” stated Marc Lesser, Mouse Education Director. “Ultimately, we view Green Tech as a way to empower youth to engage with and apply science and technology in ways that position them as activists to address real world problems.”

Inspired by Solar One’s CleanTech science curriculum, Mouse launched its own badge-based learning program, which includes three levels of hands-on activities for students and teams, and videos that profile engineers and designers involved in energy careers. Mouse also developed the Green Tech Lab, a web app that allows youth to visually-display carbon footprint data in their school and reduce its impact.

“Mouse has done a really terrific job adapting our CleanTech program to help students better understand energy and renewables,” said Chris Collins, Executive Director, Solar One. “Green Tech is so engaging and fun that I am confident it will inspire the next generation of green engineers, scientists and architects.”

To formally recognize the achievements and validate their experience in blending technology with environmental science and leading the greening projects in their school, participants in this program will earn a new Mouse Squad Green Tech Badge.

Green Tech empowers youth to learn how energy is created and the potential of renewable energy. It offers a range of projects, such as building an electric generator, performing an energy audit and creating solar-powered toys. These projects will create multiple opportunities for young people to gain expertise in technology, data collection and analysis, and sustainable solutions as they improve their STEM skills and prepare for higher education and careers in the growing green economy.

“We are posing real-life issues to our students and asking them to research the problems and come back to their school leaders with actionable solutions,” said Daniel Rabuzzi, Mouse Executive Director. “These students are poised to have a real impact not only on their schools, but in their communities and the environment as a whole. That’s something they can take with them to college, their first jobs and beyond.”

Green Tech, a combination of programming offered by Solar One and Mouse, has been piloted in four schools in New York City and the Mouse Green Tech Badge is now available to Mouse sites across the country, where students can identify energy-saving opportunities in their schools, then research and recommend changes to reduce their schools’ carbon footprint.

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About Mouse 
Mouse empowers underserved youth to learn, lead and create with technology, preparing them with skills essential for their academic and career success. Our programs give youth the opportunity to support their school community and connect with peers and adults who make, learn and dream with digital media and technology. Founded in 1997 in New York City, Mouse programs have had a positive and lasting impact on more than 23,000 students nationwide. Learn more about Mouse at www.mouse.org.

About Solar One
Solar One’s mission is to provide education and resources that create more sustainable and resilient urban environments. We change the way people think about energy, sustainability, and resilience by engaging and educating a diverse set of stakeholders and beneficiaries. Our programs help individuals and communities explore new ways of living and working that are more adaptive to a changing world. Founded in 2004 and located in New York City, Solar One developed its CleanTech program with support from the National Science Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of Solar One and Mouse and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

National Science Foundation Grant No. DRL-1139308