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UWF to host GenCyber Pathways to Cyber summer camps

The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity will offer the only two GenCyber summer camps in the state for local high school students and teachers with an interest in cybersecurity. The UWF GenCyber Pathways to Cyber camps, funded through the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation GenCyber Program, will serve as a statewide platform to increase interest in cybersecurity careers and workforce diversity, enhance cybersecurity awareness and improve cybersecurity content and teaching methods for high school curricula.

Participants will learn about the Cybersecurity First Principles through engaging curricula and hands-on activities in the UWF Cybersecurity Battle Lab. They will also learn about cybersecurity careers and opportunities in the region and network with cybersecurity experts in the community. UWF faculty and undergraduate student members of the UWF Cyber Club will mentor camp participants. Teachers will receive a set of curricular materials and resources to integrate cybersecurity into their classes. In addition, a shared online platform will be developed to provide resources, networking and community building for teachers and students.

“Cybersecurity is a great field to explore. It offers a variety of rewarding career options right here in Northwest Florida and across the nation that contribute to an important national mission – protecting our information, systems and infrastructure from cyberattacks and threats,” said Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, UWF Center for Cybersecurity director. “The UWF GenCyber Pathways to Cyber Camps will provide students and teachers opportunities to learn core cybersecurity principles, gain experience and explore career pathways.”

Up to 12 high school teachers and 24 high school students will be admitted to each free five-day camp on the UWF Pensacola campus. Teachers who complete the camp are eligible to receive a stipend and professional development credit. The first camp will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 17-21 and is open to all eligible students. The second camp is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 24-28.