Code Defenders: Unlocking the World of Cybersecurity and Programming in the Classroom
Monday, Feb 24, 2025
Code Defenders: Unlocking the World of Cybersecurity and Programming in the Classroom teacher workshop is designed to facilitate an enlightening journey into the critical field of cybersecurity and programming, particularly curated for the middle school level. This engaging and innovative session aims to equip educators with the tools needed to introduce students to essential cybersecurity concepts and programming principles, thereby nurturing their interest and honing their skills in these crucial 21st-century competencies. The workshop commences with introductions and a thorough elucidation of the cybersecurity domain, illustrating the differences between physical and digital security. Teachers are then immersed into the fundamentals of cybersecurity—confidentiality, integrity, and availability. A focus on the essentials of binary coding and circuits follows, utilizing an 'unplugged' approach to fully comprehend these key concepts. Further exploration into the art and science of securing information through cryptography is undertaken, along with discussions on authentication and privacy. Post-lunch, the workshop transitions into the practical realm of programming, where participants learn about algorithms, networks, inputs, outputs, operators, variables, and loops. An interactive session using Ozobots demonstrates the real-world applications of programming. The day concludes with an emphasis on data and system protection and a question and answer session to clarify participants' understanding and explore integration of this knowledge into their teaching practices. The aim of this workshop is to empower teachers to confidently expose their students to the world of cybersecurity and programming, thus fostering an informed, skilled, and responsible generation of digital citizens.