The culminating event for key professional development programs of NICERC are cyber camps where teachers bring teams of students who serve as the catalyst for the final professional development experience. In particular, Cyber Discovery camp is the culminating event for the Cyber Discovery professional development program which focuses on the integration of STEM and liberal arts. At the camp, students are immersed in project-driven, hands-on labs that showcase cybersecurity, cryptography, engineering, mathematics, forensics as well as history, policy, and ethics. The camps are a showcase of NICERC programs which work together to create a sustainable, knowledge-based workforce.
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Cyber DiscoveryCyber Discovery is a week-long immersion into all issues of cyber. It is a catalytic event for engaging students and teachers in the history of cyberspace, ethical and social issues, applications, and the need for and use of security in cyberspace. The experience includes discussion sessions, hands-on engineering and computer science labs, a cryptographic treasure hunt, creative story-telling, and a final cyber challenge. A microcontroller is a common thread that is woven throughout all projects to teach important concepts and fundamentals. Teachers from each school attend professional development workshops before leading their teams in week-long challenges. Cyber Discovery engages students through an intense, total immersive experience for high school teams. Learn more. |
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Cyber Discovery 2.0Cyber Discovery 2.0 camp is a week-long catalytic event for engaging students to explore the world of cyber through analysis and investigation. The experience includes hands-on activities that incorporate investigative-analysis in a challenging and interactive learning environment. Cyber Discovery 2.0 gives students the opportunity to experience events related to national intelligence on a dynamic, interactive level. Teachers from each school attend professional development workshops before leading a team in week-long challenges at the camp. Cyber Discovery 2.0 camp was first piloted in the summer of 2012. Learn more. |
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Junior Cyber DiscoveryJunior Cyber Discovery is a week-long day camp for middle school students that includes an extensive professional development component for teachers and a dynamic, hands-on curriculum for students. Students are taught STEM concepts in artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Students build and program robots and design key parts on computer aided design (CAD) stations. To help students understand the impact of technology on their daily lives, they also participate in interactive discussions, perform skits, write creative essays, and give formal presentations on technology-related topics. Learn more. |
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Cyber Forensics CampCyber Forensics Camp is a week-long camp for upcoming sophomores that offer students and teachers an immersive simulation of the investigation of a crime using actual cyber forensics techniques and processes. Teams of two teachers and six students obtain latent fingerprints, collect and process DNA samples, and write reports. Additionally, teams use steganography, cryptology, geographic positioning systems, computer data recovery, and IP addresses as they attempt to locate the fictional suspect. The camp experience is not just about technology as the curriculum also fosters growth in 21st century skills. Students interact in several classroom settings ranging from open discussions to project-based learning. Learn more. |