Info session set for LCCC Cybersecurity camp

Issues of cybersecurity have been ramping up in recent years, and in an effort to address the shortfall of skilled cybersecurity professionals, the National Security Agency and the GenCyber program fund summer camps throughout the country focused on K-12 teachers. Lehigh Carbon Community College has received a grant to offer a one-week professional development course for elementary, middle and high school teachers, and will hold an information session on Feb. 9 for interested applicants.

LCCC’s GenCyber Camp for teachers of grades 7-12 will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 12-16 at LCCC’s Schnecksville campus. The camp will be offered as a three-credit special topics course for college credit and at no charge to the student.

The camp provides opportunities for teachers in Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Berks counties to collaborate and explore cybersecurity topics that are appropriate for all secondary age groups. Topics include: computer components, computer networks, cryptography, cybersecurity, safe online behavior and cyber ethics.

The goals of the GenCyber program are to: improve teaching methods for delivering cybersecurity content in secondary schools; create a network of teachers who strive to create better digital citizens among today’s students; increase interest in cybersecurity careers and promote diversity in the cybersecurity workforce; and empower students with the essential skills for safe online behavior.

Teachers will be compensated for their participation with a daily stipend. An additional stipend is included for participation in the virtual pre-camp and post-camp sessions.

To receive an invitation to the Feb. 9 information session, email GenCyberLV@ LCCC.edu. Because this is a credit course, those who are selected will need to apply to become an LCCC student. Once the application is complete, instructions will be provided. There is no cost to the participant associated with this process.

Camp instructors will be: Susan Miner, LCCC professor of computer science and coordinator of the Cyber Center; Sami Jo Eckhart, LCCC adjunct professor of computer science and BCIT teacher in the Parkland School District; Carol Dickerson, library media specialist at Parkland High School; and Robert J. Ritter, LCCC adjunct instructor of computer science CIS/ networking at LCCC.

For information, contact Alan Jeffery at 610-799-1050, ext. 3705 or GenCyberLV@ lccc.edu.