Cybercamp: An Experience Report on the Transformations of an Intensive Cybersecurity Summer Camp for High School Students
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| Title: | Cybercamp: An Experience Report on the Transformations of an Intensive Cybersecurity Summer Camp for High School Students |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jose R. Ortiz Ubarri (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice. 2025 2025(1). |
| Availability: | Kennesaw State University. 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144. Tel: 470-578-3568; e-mail: cybersec@kennesaw.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jcerp/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 9 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
| Contract Number: | 1438838 2030188 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | High Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Summer Programs, Camps, High School Students, Computer Security, Computer Science Education, Experiential Learning, Learning Activities, Access to Education, Culturally Relevant Education, Open Source Technology |
| Geographic Terms: | Puerto Rico |
| ISSN: | 2472-2707 |
| Abstract: | The Cybercamp is a Cybersecurity summer camp for high school students that has been held for the last nine years at a Hispanic Serving Institution. Since its inception in 2016 the Cybercamp has undergone several transformations in response to budget reductions and the COVID pandemic, to finally become its current version: a rich, hands-on learning experience that we believe is easily replicable even in resource-challenged environments. In this paper, we document the transformations of the Cybercamp and discuss the developed curriculum and materials in hopes that others will reuse, adapt, and improve upon them. In the Cybercamp, we apply active learning practices that have been shown to be effective in STEM education. We perform hands-on, activities, providing Capture The Flag (CTF) style practice exercises with automatic grading. The Cybercamp is assisted by college students who serve as peer-assisted leaders. The educational materials were designed with culturally relevant case studies, using open source technologies, and following Universal Design Learning best practices to make them as accessible as possible, particularly to low-income students. We discuss how we prevented students from falling behind and successfully completed the Cybercamp. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1506725 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The Cybercamp is a Cybersecurity summer camp for high school students that has been held for the last nine years at a Hispanic Serving Institution. Since its inception in 2016 the Cybercamp has undergone several transformations in response to budget reductions and the COVID pandemic, to finally become its current version: a rich, hands-on learning experience that we believe is easily replicable even in resource-challenged environments. In this paper, we document the transformations of the Cybercamp and discuss the developed curriculum and materials in hopes that others will reuse, adapt, and improve upon them. In the Cybercamp, we apply active learning practices that have been shown to be effective in STEM education. We perform hands-on, activities, providing Capture The Flag (CTF) style practice exercises with automatic grading. The Cybercamp is assisted by college students who serve as peer-assisted leaders. The educational materials were designed with culturally relevant case studies, using open source technologies, and following Universal Design Learning best practices to make them as accessible as possible, particularly to low-income students. We discuss how we prevented students from falling behind and successfully completed the Cybercamp. |
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| ISSN: | 2472-2707 |
