Cybersecurity Camp
Camp Desription
This two-day camp is a fantastic opportunity for middle school students to gain hands-on experience in cybersecurity, learn directly from professionals, and build valuable skills for future academic and career paths. The program includes mobile, experiential labs featuring micro:bits and a curriculum designed to be both engaging and educational.
Curriculum Highlights:
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Cybersecurity Overview: Why cybersecurity matters, what it entails, and an introduction to the CIA Triad.
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Digital Communication Fundamentals: Understanding how digital communication works and the risks associated with it.
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Hands-On Coding: Using block-based coding through makecode.microbit.org to build basic communication devices (Code 1).
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Sniffer Demo: Using a micro:bit sniffer to capture cleartext communication and demonstrate the risks of unencrypted data.
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Intro to Encoding: Teaching basic encoding techniques and explaining their limitations (Code 2).
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Encryption Module: Students will build encrypted communication devices and learn the principles of secure data transmission.
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Final Exercise: Capturing encrypted messages to show how encryption protects information even when data is intercepted; concluding with real-world applications of internet encryption.
Camp Details
Date: July 7th-8th 2025
Time: 9:00-2:00
Cost: Free
Students will need to bring their own lunch.
Instructors
Nick Rethford
My name is Nick Rethford, and I serve as a Computer Science and Cybersecurity teacher at Union Public Schools. I am deeply committed to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to become innovative and ethical problem solvers in today’s digital world. This summer, I am leading cybersecurity day camps through the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute at the University of Tulsa, where I teach foundational topics such as encryption and digital communication. In January, I will begin pursuing a master's degree in Cybersecurity at the University of Tulsa to further my expertise and passion for technology and education. In addition to my work in the classroom, I am a strong advocate for inclusive education. I serve as a community leader for Educators for Equality, an organization dedicated to fostering inclusive and supportive environments for educators and students across the state of Oklahoma.
Abby Nance
Abby Nance is a 9th-grade English teacher and PhD student with a deep passion for reading and writing. In her daily teaching job, she aims to help students discover their love for literature and language. She also works to equip students through this summer camp program with foundational coding skills and essential cybersecurity knowledge to navigate the digital world safely. Her goal is to empower students to be both creative thinkers and responsible digital citizens.
