The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. Anyone, anywhere can organize an Hour of Code event. One-hour tutorials are available in over 40 languages. No experience needed. Experience the wide variety of online and offline activities appropriate for ages 4-104 to participate in the Hour of Code December 7-13, 2015. All Hour of Code online tutorials require minimal prep-time for teachers and are self-guided - allowing students to work at their own pace and skill-level. Offline activities are fun and engaging for a wide audience to learn about computational thinking in a formal or informal setting. Bring your own device. We provide wireless access.

Hacker High School offers a full cybersecurity education curriculum. It’s built on the principles of open source, and similarly offered for free to educators, and has so far been translated into 22 different languages. Key to the Hacker High School approach to security is the Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM). It’s published by the Institute for Security and Open Methodologies (ISECOM). The OSSTMM is a security testing framework recommended by the NSA. Content is not based on any specific vendor. Hacker High School gets pretty deep into computer systems, teaching students to use the command line interface instead of relying on specific software or hardware.

The Hacker High School curriculum can be downloaded for free, meaning any teacher or educator can fold it into their own classroom plan. There’s also a Security Awareness Instructor certification, and you can get a license if you want to teach Hacker High School commercially. Attendees will gain hands-on experience with the Hacker High School curriculum and insight into the most effective strategies for delivering the curriculum.

The National Security Agency (NSA) has partnered with LifeJourney on an initiative called the NSA Day of Cyber designed to raise the awareness and the “national IQ” for cybersecurity. NSA is sponsoring the program to introduce and inspire the more than 40 million students in middle school, high school and college to pursue CYBER and STEM careers to build the skills that will open up their future, and prepare them for the in-demand digital workforce.

The NSA Day of Cyber is an interactive, self-guided, and fully-automated cyber science awareness program which will run on the LifeJourney platform. This cloud-based platform will enable students to test-drive cyber careers and live a day in the life of six leading NSA cyber professionals. Launching during National Cybersecurity Education Month in October, students across the U.S., regardless of means, will have the opportunity to participate in the NSA Day of Cyber for FREE.

Early career exploration is essential for student success and achievement. Carefully crafted extended learning activities can be the spark that starts students toward a STEM education and a career pathway in cybersecurity. The portfolio of programs can include summer camps, after-school programs, Saturday workshops and self-paced online resources to name just a few. This presentation will share insight on a variety of successful programs. Panelists will share their design, promotion and implementation strategies, as well as, impact, evaluation and continuous improvement methods.

Educating the next generation of cybersecurity experts is a priority for leaders in both the public and private sectors. Cyber threats are only growing, and improving defenses to better protect the nation is a must in this digital era. There are numerous public and private efforts underway to impact the pipeline of cybersecurity professionals by reaching down into the K-12 arena. This moderated panel will share a few examples of on-going efforts to include production of resources, support to competitions, internships, and funded summer camps to excite K-12 students. (NOTE: This is only a small sample of existing activities. Other programs will be shared in additional sessions).

As we move into the digital world, and the Internet becomes ubiquitous throughout our lives, cyberawareness/Internet Safety/Digital Literacy is needed by both young and old alike. Basics are needed for all citizens to insure we have a safe and secure experience on the web, and protect ourselves from both old and emerging threats. Panelists will share a sample of the existing resources that are available (all for FREE). Whether you need resources for a PTA presentation, a classroom lesson, or an after school program, there is something for all venues and all age groups.

Many states, districts and individual schools have developed their own “cybersecurity program”. Full programs of study exist within the CTE program, Cyber Academies, cybersecurity across the curriculum, and middle college. Panelists will provide a brief overview of their program, strategies to develop your own, and lessons learned related to professional development, certifications, recruitment and retainment, and infrastructure needs.

This session will delve deeper into the CSTA K–12 computer science standards project. What are these standards? How is cybersecurity embedded within these standards? How can the cybersecurity education community understand the CSTA organization, scope, and contents of the CSTA standards and engage in a dialogue that will strengthen its effects.

There are numerous advantages for students engaged in expanded learning opportunities. In addition, higher education wins as well. Hosting Saturday workshops, summer camps on campus or after school programs enables faculty to engage with a younger audience, allows opportunities for collegiate students to interact with youth, helps recruit students to their programs and aids in creating an additional funding stream through supporting grants and registration fees. This facilitated panel will share ongoing efforts at their campuses specifically focused on cybersecurity awareness and workforce development.

Confronted with a severe shortage of talent, government and defense contractors are spending time and money on programs designed to interest students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), with the hope that some will find their way into cybersecurity. As a result, cyber defense competitions are popping up like mushrooms. What’s the objective to these activities? What’s the difference between them? Where can educators, students and parents find resources and training to get them started? A handful of popular competitions will help provide answers to these questions.

How to prep students for industry certification success? Industry certifications can jump start students’ academic credentials, and prepare them for work in industry. High school instructors/school systems will share lessons learned on how to prepare for and encourage students to take industry certifications such as A+, Security+, and CISCO-and PASS!

Academies are a way to build IT skills and start students on a solid path to careers and post-secondary success. Learn how three national programs are focused on preparing students to fill critical cyber security openings.

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) has developed the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (“the Framework”) to provide a common understanding of and lexicon for cybersecurity work. Defining the cybersecurity population consistently, using standardized terms is an essential step in ensuring that our country is able to educate, recruit, train, develop, and retain a highly-qualified workforce. However, NICE also enhances understanding of cybersecurity work and creates consistency and helps plan how to adress workforce planning. Come learn how to apply NICE to your effort.

Stackable credits or stackable certificates allow a student to quickly achieve an industry certification at a community college that leads directly to employment. Typically, these programs are geared toward adult learners with schedules more open to individuals with jobs and families. Traditionally, these have only been the domain of community colleges, but these are rapidly becoming accepted by other higher education institutions. In addition, there are a wide variety of degree program and/or specialization options. Certifications, Stackable Certifications, AS/AAS Programs, BA/BS Programs and are there others? Find out more about these exciting ways to both build the workforce and provide a path to and within higher education.