CyberSMART: Cybersecurity in a SMART Universe

Abstract

yberSMART: Cybersecurity in a SMART Universe is an expansion of our ONR-funded (N00014-23-1-2153-P00001) 2-week project-based and standards-aligned CyberSMART: Cybersecurity in a SMART World program for grades 9 - 12 that places cybersecurity in the context of a world dominated by networks and connected devices. CyberSMART currently consists of 3 units and 9 lessons that establish foundational knowledge and build key skills in this space. It uses a unique, hands-on strategy to make complex, abstract cybersecurity conceptsreal and meaningful for students through problem-solving activities based on the use of TinkerCad and optional custom-built CyberSMART kits. It reinforces and applies learning to real-world scenarios through a culminating CyberSMART Challenge in which students use design-thinking strategies to create innovative solutions to authentic cybersecurity scenarios that are inspired by current eventsand presented by Navy-connected professionals. This STEM program is delivered on our smartphone enabled, award-winning Scoutlier learning platform (1) and is being used by around 500 students in Tampa, FL during the Spring semester of the 2022 - 2023 school year.The CyberSMART #Universe# extension will expand the scope of the instructional content of this program to include an additional 3 units and 9 that cover critical emerging issues in cybersecurity, including threats posed by the recent advances in generative AI (2).It will also scale the use of CyberSMART by making the full program available to over 1,000 students in Tampa, FL during the 2023 -2024 school year, and enable us to run a pilot implementation in the public schools of the naval community of Panama City, FL.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jun 29, 2023
Source ID
N000142312582

Entities

People

  • Brandy Jackson

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • STEM Education
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Space