Pace University has a free camp for students interested in cybersecurity that might be of interest to area students.
Camp CryptoBot , funded through a grant by the National Security Agency, is a dynamic, interactive, and mission-driven camp that introduces high school students to the basics of cybersecurity. It is a FREE one-week camp that utilizes SeaPerch, an underwater robot; drones; and spheros as the platform for teaching cryptography through storytelling, hands-on labs, and problem-solving missions.
Why aren’t female students majoring in cybersecurity when this is the fastest growing field? The problem is certainly not ability. Women are certainly as capable as men in succeeding in this field. The gender imbalance has potential consequences for this nation’s security, so it is imperative that we understand why women are not being attracted to this field. The problem is that the gap is widening, and we must design and develop innovative ways to engage young women so that we have a diversified and qualified cybersecurity workforce . Our research discusses the Camp CryptoBot model which encourages young women to take risks while combating the fear of failure thereby promoting their self-efficacy. Camp CryptoBot seeks to equip, educate, and empower young women such that they can sustain the rigors of being a woman in a male-dominated discipline and thrive.
Students are expected to acquire the following skills by the end of camp:
- A basic understanding on several specific cybersecurity topics including Cybersecurity First Principles, data security, security policy, cryptography, and authentication;
- Awareness of cyber ethics and good cyber citizenship;
- Awareness of cybersecurity education programs and career opportunities.
Below is a link to an interview Pauline Mosley and I conducted with Ethan Zhou who attended the camp.
