NEWS

Louisiana Tech University’s SciTEC (Science and Technology Education Center), LAGEARUP (Louisiana Gaining Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), and Monroe City Schools partnered to host the C2S Engineering and CyberSecurity minicamp this fall at Neville High School.

Junior and senior students from Neville, Wossman and Carroll High School were given a hypothetical national security breach scenario that they needed to solve. Dr. Heath Tims of the College of Engineering and Science and Dr. Bryan Zygmont of the College of Liberal Arts led each of the sessions and scenarios, and Dianne Madden, Associate Director of SciTEC, helped coordinate the event.

Students were put into groups of three and were briefed on the geography of where a hypothetical security breach happened and the history surrounding the area, but they were not told the cause of the problem. Periodically, Tims and Zygmont checked in with each group to guide them through their investigation.

At the end of the camp, the students presented their findings, and they could see if they successfully solved the cybersecurity mystery.

“Transdisciplinary educational opportunities at early ages allow for students to engage in a unique problem-solving format that closely resembles the necessary team dynamics that professionals across the globe must use when asked to solve complex and important problems,” said Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent, College of Education Associate Dean. “We are thankful for the support of with Cassie Owens and Dorothy Thomas of Neville High School and are pleased to be able to bring this type of learning to the students who will be our future STEM leaders in Louisiana and beyond!”

Programs like this are made possible by federal grant funds through the United States Department of Education through the Louisiana Office of Student and Financial Assistance, a division of the Louisiana Board of Regents. To learn more about this or similar educational outreach opportunities, email scitec@latech.edu.