Computer Science (CS) Education Week is a yearly celebration of K-12 students’ connection to technology. Educators are encouraged to expose their students to CS activities and role models in the tech field in order to spark a passion and understanding of the subject. This year CS Ed Week runs from December 7th through the 15th. NOLA_CODE and the CS Ed advocates of New Orleans challenge local educators to inspire students by facilitating at least one coding activity.

CYBER.ORG will be hosting a variety of events throughout the week including a student-focused Capture the Flag activity, a teacher-focused series of informational chats on teaching cybersecurity in the classroom, and a webinar featuring representatives from NCWIT and Counselors for Computing. A full list of activities can be found below.

CSEd Week Events

Beginning Monday, December 7

8:00 am - Capture the Flag Competition

• A CTF is a format for a fun, interactive cybersecurity competition where competitors will test their knowledge in categories such as: encryption, network security, reverse engineering, or programming. However, other categories are always a possibility.
• This event is ideally suited for high school students but may be engaging for some middle school students. The competition is free and open to all who are interested and will run through the entire week.
• The site will not open for registration until December 1, 2020
• https://cyber.ctfd.io

Beginning Wednesday, December 9

9:00 am – Cybersecurity in the Classroom

• Join this informational session with Dr. Chuck Gardner, Director of Curriculum for CYBER.ORG, as he helps teachers understand how to bring cybersecurity resources into the classroom and even teach a full-year course. Implementation of the STEM Pathway for Cybersecurity will also be discussed.
• Register here.

11:00 am – Cybersecurity in the Classroom

• Join this informational session with Dr. Chuck Gardner, Director of Curriculum for CYBER.ORG, as he helps teachers understand how to bring cybersecurity resources into the classroom and even teach a full-year course. Implementation of the STEM Pathway for Cybersecurity will also be discussed.
• Register here.

Beginning Thursday, December 10

2:00 pm – CyberEd Webinar Series: Inspiring Students to Pursue Cyber: Strategies for Counselors and Educators

• Join CYBER.ORG and Counselors for Computing as we share strategies for engaging students in cybersecurity!
• Registration is required to observe this event.
• Cyber Ed Webinar - Inspiring Students to Pursue Cyber: Strategies for Counselors and Educators

Beginning Friday, December 11

9:00 am – Cybersecurity in the Classroom

• Join this informational session with Dr. Chuck Gardner, Director of Curriculum for CYBER.ORG, as he helps teachers understand how to bring cybersecurity resources into the classroom and even teach a full-year course. Implementation of the STEM Pathway for Cybersecurity will also be discussed.
• Register here.

11:00 am – Cybersecurity in the Classroom

• Join this informational session with Dr. Chuck Gardner, Director of Curriculum for CYBER.ORG, as he helps teachers understand how to bring cybersecurity resources into the classroom and even teach a full-year course. Implementation of the STEM Pathway for Cybersecurity will also be discussed.
• Register here.

Resources That Are Available Any Time

Cyber Safety Video Series

Join Josh and David as they take you on a series of animated tours that will help you stay safe while working and playing online! There are four 2-3 minute videos in the series:

• Video Call Safety
• Phishing
• Making Strong Passwords
• Online Gaming Safety
• Find them all here: https://cyber.org/cybersafety

Basic Coding with the micro:bit

Join elementary experts Laurie and Brittany as they walk through a simple coding lesson using the BBC micro:bit! This five-minute video will make use of a virtual micro:bit and the online programming environment to complete some programming challenges.

• This event is ideally suited for elementary and middle school students but may be engaging for some high school students. You do not need a micro:bit to participate in these activities.
• Basic Coding with CYBER.ORG YouTube Video 

Encryption with a PigPen cipher

Join middle school expert Jon as he walks through how to use a PigPen cipher. This two-minute video is designed to go along with the activity here: https://cyber.org/news/home-activity-encryption-pigpen-cipher

• This event is ideally suited for elementary and middle school students but may be engaging for some high school students. There are some printable resources associated with activity.
• PigPen Cipher YouTube Video

Encryption with a Pringle’s Can Enigma for Elementary and Middle School

Join middle school expert Heather and our friends at STEM NOLA as she walks through the Enigma device activity using a Pringle’s Can. This 50-minute video is designed to go along with the activity here: https://cyber.org/enigma

• This event is ideally suited for elementary and middle school students but may be engaging for some high school students. There are some printable resources associated with activity.
• STEM Nola @ Home Cybersecurity YouTube Video

Encryption with a Pringle’s Can Enigma for High School

Join CYBER.ORG’s Director of Curriculum Chuck as he walks through the assembly of an Enigma device using a Pringle’s Can. This 16-minute video is designed to go along with the activity here: https://cyber.org/enigma

• This event is ideally suited for high school students but may be engaging for some middle school students. There are some printable resources associated with activity.
• Pringles Can Enigma YouTube Video

Register here for free access to all of CYBER.ORG’s K-12 curriculum. If you are interested in engaging with CYBER.ORG for engagement or professional development opportunities, reach out to us at [email protected].