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    CyberStart America in Georgia

    CyberStart America in Georgia is a statewide initiative to enable all students in the state’s 800-plus high schools to discover their talent in cybersecurity.

    CyberStart America: a free program that can take your high school students from zero to employable in under a year!

    With over 700,000 vacant positions in cybersecurity, we are looking at K12 schools to inspire thousands of teenagers to join the cyber workforce fast! The CyberStart America in Georgia Taskforce is working with teachers to help fill those vacancies using CyberStart America. Produced by the SANS Institute and the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation, students can identify their cyber talent through 200 fun challenges in a variety of topics. Top performing students are eligible to receive a free SANS training course and the chance to test for an industry level certificate. The resources and tools on this page will help you maximize the impact of CyberStart America in your classroom and help us find those cyber stars!

    Five state leaders in cyber education - University of North Georgia, Georgia Department of Education, STEM@GTRI (Georgia Tech Research Institute), Georgia Cyber Center and TAG-Ed (Technology Association of Georgia Education Collaborative) - guide the CyberStart Georgia Task Force with the aim of helping students learn about cybersecurity using an easy-to-follow game-based online platform.

    Transcript

    Supported by Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Education.

    How Does It Work? 

    CyberStart America is a free, learn-as-you-go, online game designed to help students in grades 9 - 12 learn about cyber as they complete fun puzzles and challenges. The game helps students explore their abilities, build their skills and compete for scholarships in cybersecurity along with cash prizes available exclusively in Georgia.

    If you know students who are:

    • eager to learn new things
    • excel at problem-solving
    • are naturally curious and tenacious
    • are self-motivated

    They have the traits that could lead them to a successful career as a cyber professional.

    No prior experience in computer science is required by students or teachers to get started!

    Dates

    The 2022 CyberStart America game cycle will run from October 4, 2022 to April 4, 2023.

    Students can explore more than 200 unique cybersecurity challenges, which they will solve as a cybersecurity agent investigating criminal gangs. They earn points for every challenge solved and earn digital achievement badges at various point levels. Top-scoring eligible players will be invited to apply for cyber training scholarships worth $3,000 from the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation.

    Register Now!

    Resources & Info for Educators

    • Teachers & Advisors
    • Students
    • Awards & Recognition
    • Districts
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us

    Benefits to Teachers & Advisors

    • Easily incorporate cybersecurity into your classroom using the Matrix of Standards, which provides a detailed look at how the CyberStart learning platform connects to the Georgia Standards of Excellence for classroom use.
    • No prior knowledge of cybersecurity or computer science is required. 
    • Cash prizes for teachers, schools and districts exclusively in Georgia.
    • Access to webinars and resources to help you introduce the program to students.
    • See your students’ progress by creating a CyberStart Group.
    • Program is flexible and can be implemented in numerous ways: after school or lunchtime clubs; pathway programs; in-class or homework assignment; extra credit; curriculum for introductory cyber class; in-class anchor activity for “fast finishers.”
    • Download the Teacher Flyer (PDF) for more information.

    Visit CyberStart America for additional information and resources for teacher and advisors.

    Register Now!

    Benefits to Students

    • Provides a new path for diverse and underrepresented students to enter the cybersecurity field.
    • Develops interest in and access to high-demand careers in a fast-growing job market.
    • Students earn digital achievement badges for points earned as they progress through the game.
    • Students compete for cash prizes exclusively for eligible students competing in Georgia schools.
    • Top-scoring eligible players will be invited to apply for cyber training scholarships worth $3,000 from the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation.
    • Download the Student Poster (PDF).
    • If you want to further your cybersecurity education, check out these additional resources (PDF).

    Cash Prizes Exclusively for Georgia Students & Schools

    Statewide Superstars

    Recognizing Georgia's top students and schools in the CyberStart America program (CSA).

    • Cyber Explorers (10)

      The top 10 Georgia students new to CSA with the highest point score by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) each receive a $500 cash prize.**

    • Cyber Advancers (10)

      The top 10 Georgia students returning to CSA with the highest point score by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) each receive a $500 cash prize.**

    • Cyber Talent School (1)

      The Georgia school with the highest cumulative point score in Georgia among their registered CSA participants will receive $2500.

    • Cyber Breakout School (1)

      The Georgia public school with the highest number of CSA participants* that does not have an existing cyber pathway will receive $2500.

    • Cyber Progress School (1)

      The Georgia school with the highest increase in National Cyber Scholarship Semifinalist qualifiers from 2022 to 2023 will receive $2500.

    Districts of Distinction

    Recognizing Georgia's Public School Districts that are encouraging the greatest participation in CyberStart America.

    The top 10 Georgia public school districts with the highest total CSA registrations by January 16, 2023 will be awarded the title District of Distinction, giving the students and schools in that district the chance to qualify for the prizes outlined below.**

    • District of Cyber Talent (1)

      The District of Distinction with the highest number of National Cyber Scholarship Semifinalist qualifiers by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) receives a top prize of $5,000.

    • District Superstars (5 per district)

      Exploring Superstars: The 2 students new to CyberStart America in each District of Distinction with the highest point score by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) each receive $500.**

      Advancing Superstars: The 3 students returning to CyberStart America in each District of Distinction with the highest point score by the CSA closing date (April 4, 2023) each receive $500.**

    • District Cyber Opportunity School (1 per district)

      Within each District of Distinction, the school with the highest percentage of its total student body participating* in CyberStart America (CSA) will receive $2,500.**

    • District Cyber Expansion School (1 per district)

      Within each District of Distinction, the school with the highest increase in CSA participants* from 2022 to 2023 will receive $2,500.**

    Notes:

    *For the purposes of awarding school and district awards, a "participant" is an eligible student who has registered for the CyberStart America program in 2022-23, and completed at least one challenge in CyberStart.

    **A school can only win one Georgia-specific prize per year across all categories. An individual student can only win one single Georgia-specific prize per year across all categories and cannot win a Georgia-specific prize two years in a row – they may be eligible for additional awards via the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation.

    The title of District of Distinction will be awarded based on student registration numbers in CyberStart America (CSA) from that district by January 16, 2023. Cash prizes will be awarded based on student participant* numbers in CyberStart America (CSA) from that district by April 4, 2023.

    If a school or district that has won an award from a previous year is eligible to win an award in this year, they must submit their report on how the previous year's funding was spent before they can receive their award for this year.

    School prizes must be used to further cybersecurity education in their school, district, or region.

    • Download the Prize Flyer (PDF)

    Incorporating within Districts

    CyberStart America is a highly flexible program for schools. The game can be incorporated into a class, be a stand-alone club, be used in an “Extensions” period, or be completed individually by students, and is a great way to help students prepare for S.B. 108.

    As a reminder, schools should do their own FERPA compliance check before implementing new programs.

    Classroom-Incorporation Option:

    As a district partner, CyberStart America in Georgia requests:

    • Encourage CS, CTAE, Career, Study Hall (etc.) teachers or counselors to incorporate CyberStart into their curriculum plans. This Matrix of Standards will demonstrate how many required standards the CyberStart game addresses in a fun and easy-to-use way.
    • Consider incorporating CyberStart into an extension, enrichment, or problem-solving course.
    • Find ways to recruit and encourage students. For example, hold a cyber pep rally prior to the game launch or encourage a friendly competition between high schools in your district.
    • Plan ways to encourage continued engagement in the game. For example, will you announce the bronze, silver, and gold award winners at your school on the morning announcements or school website?

    Club Option:

    Find 1-3 teachers willing to hold a club before school, after school, and/or during lunch. We recommend that club leadership replace duty during club time to provide teachers an incentive. Here are a few important reminders:

    • Any teacher/staff member can be a club leader because the game is the one that does the teaching.
    • Club Leaders will only need to:
      • Make sure students stay on the correct webpage
      • Monitor the classroom
      • Help recruit students for the club
    • Consider the best time and location to host clubs. If possible, lunch-and-learn clubs are encouraged for working students and those caring for younger siblings before/after school.

    Individual Option:

    • Students can play the game on their own to potentially earn scholarships and prizes.
    • Counselors, CTAE teachers, and principals should encourage all students to try the game.
    • Consider incentives to try the first level: homework pass, free admission to school event, etc.

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    What is the time commitment for the teacher? What does this look like in the classroom?

    • Teachers can be as hands-on or off as they want. Some use it as a daily warm up in a computer science class, others use it for one week in class and have the students continue on their own. Many teachers are able to weave it in throughout the year in various capacities. Some schools were able to form it into a club
      or as part of a school-wide initiative, and students that want to continue could do so as an anchor activity for the "fast finishers" in a lesson.

    If the students play independently, how often should they be accessing it?

    • If students want to get to the scholarship level, they should keep playing as often as possible throughout the game cycle. However, for students that are just trying to get a feel for whether or not they want to get into cyber, it is probably best not to force it on them and just give an incentive to try it (a pizza lunch and learn, for example) and then tell them about the prizes.

    What is the range of time students have to complete the game?

    • October 4th 2022 to April 4th 2023. They will have six months to explore as much of the game as they can. With over 200 challenges that increase in difficulty, students are not expected to finish the game. CyberStart America closes before the end of the school year so the national scholarship recipients can receive their training over the summer.

    My students are stuck on challenges that require a virtual machine. How can they access one?

    • If your students are on challenges that require a virtual machine and they are not able to download the CyberStart America VM, cyber.org has a free range for students and teachers. Visit cyber.org Range to access the tools needed to complete most of the VM levels.

    Can this be used in classes outside of CTAE and Computer Science?

    • Absolutely! Because it has such a strong problem solving and critical thinking aspect to it, the game can be used in almost any class during independent/free time.

    Can teachers keep track of students' progress?

    • CyberStart Groups is a great way for teachers to monitor student participation, and can be used to encourage healthy competition in classrooms. Follow the instructions to set up a classroom group and see how having a group can benefit both teachers and students.

    Can this be used in middle school classes, or just high school?

    • To be eligible to register for CyberStart America, a student must be at least 13 years old and enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade (in a public, private, or homeschool). Students in 8th grade or other middle grades are not able to participate in CyberStart America or be eligible for the state prizes. However, if you are a Computer Science/Cyber middle school teacher who would like to introduce your students to cybersecurity, you are welcome to sign up for access to the CyberStart Intern base at cyberstart.com, which includes 12 challenges of varying difficulty levels.

    Why are there different Georgia prize categories?

    • Our goal with prizes is to incentivize students to try CyberStart America, and for teachers/schools to encourage the game within their student population. We also wanted to make sure that our prizes would be attainable for both large and small districts, which is why some of our prizes are based on total numbers and others are based on percentages. If you have any feedback on the structure of our prizes, please let us know at cyberstartgeorgia@ung.edu.

     

     

    Important Information

    If students register using their school email address, please have your IT staff whitelist the following domains:

    • @cyberstartamerica.org
    • @cyberstart.com
    • @nationalcyberscholarship.org

    These domains need to be approved so students will receive emails for registration information and support throughout the game. Emails will also come from these domains if a student is eligible for prizes at the end of the game, so it is very important that they can receive these emails

    Learn More

    Contact us at at CyberStartGeorgia@ung.edu

    Visit CyberStart America for additional information and resources for teacher and advisors.

    Read What Georgia Teachers Have to Say!

    “The competition is a huge incentive for the teachers and students to participate. Everyone wants to win money to help their programs. By adding the monetary incentive, Georgia dangled a carrot to teachers and students that helps teach students cyber security AND gives them the chance to improve their labs! It's a win-win for Georgia Computer Science programs.”

    “I have two seniors who wanted to major in Computer Science, but who didn't have a career focus. Both of those seniors have now committed to majoring in Cyber Security. One of these seniors intentionally applied to UNG to study Cybersecurity under Dr. Bryson Payne.”

    “After playing the cybersecurity related games in CyberStart America, I have had at least five students apply for the UNG GenCyber Warrior Summer Camp. They are hungry to learn how to do more with Virtual Machines, SQL, etc. under the guidance of college professors. Had they not been introduced to these topics within CyberStart America Game Play, they would not have known that there is so much more to learn.”

    “My students love the competition aspect. It is their favorite part of class as they feel it is practical and fun…These competitions are an absolute MUST for the success of Cybersecurity programs!”

    Cyber Education is a National Priority

    Imagine the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic with a shortage of 500,000 doctors in the U.S.

    How would California fare with a shortage of 500,000 fire fighters?

    Although the United States has not faced these hypothetical crises, cyber crimes are a growing threat to our national welfare, in part, because of the critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals. 

    With nearly 500,000 cybersecurity jobs currently unfilled in the U.S., 17,000 of them in Georgia alone, shortage of cybersecurity professions affects everyone, with more frequent and damaging cyber attacks on food and fuel supplies, water and utilities, government agencies and corporations in nearly every business sector. 

    Georgia’s high schools play an essential role in helping students explore their potential in this crucial career field. CyberStart Georgia helps high schools meet the challenge of preparing the next generation of cyber professionals.

    Register Now!

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