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The following press release was issued by Michigan Tech writer Mark Wilcox:
In an effort to increase the interest in cybersecurity careers and diversity in the cybersecurity workforce of the nation, the Summer Youth Program (SYP) at Michigan Technological University is offering a pair of GenCyber camps this summer. The week-long camps are non-residential (commuter only) and designed to help build a cybersecurity pipeline. A camp for middle and high school students will help them understand correct and safe online behavior and how to be a good digital citizen. The camp for K-12 educators is designed to improve teaching methods for the delivery of cybersecurity content.
The first camp, for local middle and high school students will be held June 17 – 21. The camp, for local K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) teachers will take place Aug. 12-16. Participants in both camps will not only receive knowledge of cybersecurity, but also serve as “cyber ambassadors” to preach cybersecurity to others after the camp.
Both camps are offered at no cost to all participants and will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Breakfast, served from 7 to 9 a.m., and lunch ,served from noon to 1 p.m., will be provide to participants at no additional charge. Funding for the camps is provided jointly by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), through an award received by Michigan Tech.
The program is under the direction of Yu Cai, program chair of computer network and system administration program (CNSA). The lead instructor is Tim Van Wagner who is also with the CNSA program. Cai explains what participants can expect to learn during the five-day experience.
“These camps offer a chance to explore the world of cybersecurity with experts in the field through fun, real-world learning experience,” Cai said.
The application deadline for the student camp is May 31. There is a maximum of 30 spots. Late applications will be considered, but scholarships are awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
The application deadline for the teachers’ camp is June 15. More information, including registration material is available at mtu.edu/gencyber.
Summer Youth Programs at Michigan have been around since 1972. From the first summer with 517 participants and 24 explorations, the programs now reach more than 1,100 participants each summer and offer 50-plus explorations or competitive scholarships for students completing grades 6-11. Today, students travel from more than 30 US states and over 10 countries to participate in SYP explorations each summer. While the program has grown, the mission has not changed — a desire to help students learn new skills and explore potential careers in a relaxed, hands-on way.
