GenCyber Teachers Camp 2024

The North Texas Cybersecurity Academy

GenCyber Teachers Camp

The goal of the UNT GenCyber Teacher Camp is to increase the cybersecurity expertise of middle and high school Computer Science/STEM teachers so that they can introduce a cybersecurity curriculum into their classrooms. Our camp centers on Cybersecurity Foundations and emphasizes cybersecurity as a helping profession that impacts many aspects of society. This camp is intended for beginners in cybersecurity.

The camp is sponsored by GenCyber, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Camp Dates:

Pre-camp dates:

  • Session 1 (April 9th 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • Orientation and Information Session 
  • Session 2 (April 23rd 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • CS intro lecture - GenCyber concepts, computers, and network
  • Session 3 (May 7th 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • Virtual Machines, Cloud Computing, and Linux
  • Session 4 (May 21st 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • Python basics
  • Session 5 (June 4th 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • Cryptography basics

Dates of in-person training sessions

      1. June 10th 2024 (Mon), UNT Campus (Discovery Park, Room B227)- Understanding Cybersecurity

Time Activities
8:30-9:00 Check-in and registration
9:00-9:30 Camp overview and introduction to camp staff and participants
9:30-10:30 Intro to GenCyber Six Concepts
10:30- 11:30 Computer/OS Basics and Virtualization
11:30- 12:15 Quiz creation group activity
12:15-12:45 Lunch
12:45-1:45 Linux Basics (hands-on)
1:45- 2:45 Invited talk: cybersecurity club engagement and outreach
2:45- 3:45 Designing lesson plans
3:45- 4:05 Reflection (Survey)
4:05-4:30 Q&A; roadmap to the next module

       2. June 11th 2024 (Tue), UNT Campus (Discovery Park, Room B227)- Safe Online Behavior and Ethics in Computer Science

Time Activities
8:30- 9:30 Online safety and ethics
9:30-10:30 Social Engineering and mitigation
10:30- 11:30 Cyberbullying and mitigation
11:30- 12:15 Resources on online safety
12:15- 12:45 Lunch
12:45- 1:45 Physical security
1:45- 2:45 Physical security hands on DuckyScript + Rubber Duckies
2:45- 3:45 Designing lesson plans
3:45- 4:05 Reflection (Survey)
4:05- 4:30 Q&A; roadmap to the next module

       3. June 12th 2024 (Wed), UNT Campus (Discovery Park, Room B227)- Computer/Network Security and Capture-the-Flag

Time Activities
8:30- 9:30 Common cyber-attacks: real-life vulnerabilities
9:30-10:30 Capture-the-Flag contest design
10:30- 11:15 Secure coding + WebGoat hands-on
11:15- 11:45 Network security and CTF (hands-on)
11:45- 12:15 Career paths and certifications
12:15- 12:45 Lunch
12:45- 1:45 Basics of malware and mitigation
1:45- 2:45 Malware defenses (hands-on)
2:45- 3:45 Designing lesson plans
3:45- 4:05 Reflection (Survey)
4:05- 4:30 Q&A; roadmap to the next module

       4. June 13th 2024 (Thu), UNT Campus (Discovery Park, Room B227)- Cryptography and Network Security

Time Activities
8:30- 9:30 Cryptography: concepts, primary functions, real-life examples.
9:30-10:30 Password security
10:30- 11:15 Cryptography and network security (hands-on)
11:15- 12:15 Invited career talk
12:15- 12:45 Lunch
12:45- 1:45 Resources on cryptography (hands-on)
1:45- 3:45 Designing lesson plans
3:45- 4:05 Reflection (Survey)
4:05- 4:30 Q&A; roadmap to the next module

        5. June 14th 2023 (Fri), UNT Campus (Discovery Park, Room B227)- Basics of Computer Forensics

Time Activities
8:30- 9:30 Basics of digital forensics, metadata/OSINT
9:30-10:30 Steganography/data hiding
10:30- 11:30 Hands-on Activities (Kali OSINT tools)
11:30- 12:15 Digital forensics: Create your own scenario (hands-on)
12:15- 12:45 Lunch
12:45- 1:45 Invited career talk
1:45- 3:45 Designing lesson plans
3:45- 4:30 Group photo; Closing discussion, Q&A, Recap of the academic year teaching

Post-camp dates:

  • Session 1 (July 8th 2024, 5-6 pm, virtual):
    • Help session for lesson plan development 
  • Session 2 (July 23rd 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • Lesson plan presentation
  • Session 3 (July 30th 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • Lesson plan presentation
  • Session 4 (August 6th 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • Lesson plan presentation
  • Session 5 (August 26th 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • Python Hands-on 
  • Session 6 (September 30th 2024, 5-6:30 pm, virtual):
    • Cryptography
  • Cohort group meetings (3 meetings)
    • Date and time will be set by the cohort groups
  • Virtual Office hours (Wednesday, 4-5pm)
    •  9/4/2024, 10/2/2024, 11/6/2024, 12/4/2024, 1/8/2025, 2/5/2025
  • Showcase: TBD (3-4 hours in February 2025, virtual)

​​Participant Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a middle/high school teacher who teaches computer science or STEM-related courses.
  • Must be able to attend 5 in-person sessions scheduled in Denton, UNT Discovery Park.
  • Must be able to attend pre-camp and post-camp activities (24-30 hours virtual.)
  • Must be willing to complete post-surveys at the end of the camp.
  • Must provide a letter of support from the school administrator upon acceptance to this camp.

How to Apply?

Application Deadline for 2024 Summer Camp: February 7, 2024

Closed

Accepted teachers who complete the program will receive:

  • The opportunity to learn about Cybersecurity topics to teach to their students.
  • $1,000 stipend for 5 days and 24-30 hours of pre/post-camp activities.
  • One iPad and case.
  • Lunches at the 5 in-person meetings.
  • Parking permit.
  • Virtual support (zoom sessions and office hours) for pre-camp and post-camp activities.
  • A certificate of completion.
  • The opportunity to be part of program that has a strong emphasis on collaboration with other highly motivated teachers.

GenCyber Team

  • Dr. Hyunsook Do, Program Director
  • Dr. Kirill Morozov, Lead Instructor
  • Dr. Jacob Hochstetler, Instructor
  • Dr. Renee Bryce, Faculty Staff
  • Zul Khoja, Student Instructor
  • Vinh Quach, Student Staff
  • Chris Evans, K-12 Pedagogical Expert
  • Parul Dumka, K-12 Pedagogical Expert
  • Andy Smith, K-12 Pedagogical Expert

GenCyber logo, NSA logo and NSF logo