Nonprofit Delivering After-School STEM Programs is Honored to Lead Cybersecurity Challenge for Students Across Massachusetts
LOWELL, MA, (October 7, 2020)—Kids in Tech, the STEM education nonprofit that strives to excite, educate and empower nextgen leaders of the innovation economy, has been named a partner of the third annual Massachusetts STEM Week 2020 (STEM Week).
STEM Week will take place this year from October 19 – 23, 2020 through a mix of virtual and in-person events, lessons, speaker panels, and design challenges highlighting the opportunities that exist in science, technology, engineering, and math. Organized by the Executive Office of Education and the STEM Advisory Council, in partnership with Massachusetts’ 9 Regional STEM Networks, MSW 2020 represents a statewide effort to boost the interest, awareness, and ability of all emerging learners in STEM.
Kids in Tech has been selected as an organizational partner to host a cybersecurity challenge that aims to deepen students’ understanding of the architecture of the internet, and how it is designed to withstand both physical and electronic attacks. Some topics of focus will include online safety, securing the ‘internet of things’, career opportunities, and cryptography.
Elementary, middle, and high school students will engage with hands-on curriculum and online activities, ultimately challenged to think through standards-based activities that consider how the internet works and how the internet can be used safely. By participating in puzzle-solving games, students will explore how individuals can utilize the internet to obtain information, and how to ensure that their own personal data is secure.
“On behalf of Kids in Tech, I am honored that we’ve been selected as a grant recipient by the STEM Advisory Council to design multi grade-level, week-long design challenges centering on cybersecurity for Massachusetts STEM Week this year,” remarked Olu Ibrahim, Founder and CEO of Kids in Tech. “Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries, with more than 1 million job openings estimated in the near future. Our goal for this challenge is to provide a meaningful learning experience for students and educators alike—helping kids uncover their own unique passions within the field, and inspiring them to dream big.”
This Kids in Tech partnership will reflect the effectiveness of its after-school “Tech Club” programs, which represent an important and inspirational opportunity for students in classrooms across Massachusetts to gain access to STEM education and career opportunities, regardless of their economic situation or geographic location.
“The MITRE Bedford STEM Team has enjoyed a rewarding partnership with Kids in Tech for the past year,” said Bryn Dews, Change Management Strategist & MITRE Bedford STEM Council lead, MITRE. “Our goal is to empower the next generation of scientists and engineers. Through Kids in Tech, we’ve been able to expose students to STEM demos and concepts that they might not otherwise experience. The Bedford STEM team recently held our first virtual demo, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Kids in Tech, either online or in-person.”
“Kids in Tech has worked with the iRobot STEM program to inspire their students in the opportunities STEM provides,” commented Lisa Freed, STEM Program Manager, iRobot.We enjoy the passionate enthusiasm among both the staff and the students. They continually find ways to engage students of all levels and provide an exciting enrichment experience.”
To learn more about Kids in Tech, please visit KidsInTech.org, and/or https://kidsintech.org/stem-week-challenge/ for details on the upcoming challenge.
To learn more about Massachusetts STEM Week 2020, please visit MassSTEMWeek.org.
