Penn College receives grant for cybersecurity education

Pennsylvania College of Technology is the recipient of a $140,792 federal grant to offer free cybersecurity education to secondary school teachers.

Awarded through the GenCyber program, the grant will facilitate a weeklong camp next June 24-28 on main campus for 25 Pennsylvania teachers of grades five through 12. The program’s goal is to build a strong cybersecurity workforce by sparking interest in the field at the secondary level.

Middle and high school teachers are considered key in introducing cybersecurity and its career options to students. The camp will be open to teachers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds.

“Cybersecurity has become a critical aspect of both our personal and professional lives. We hope to help teachers overcome barriers relating to teaching cybersecurity content and seek to aid teachers in discovering opportunities to embed cybersecurity concepts across curriculums,” said Alicia L. McNett, assistant professor of computer information technology and the program’s project director.

In addition to focusing on cybersecurity concepts, ethics and career possibilities, the camp will offer hands-0n activities and interaction with professionals working in the field. Teachers will have the opportunity to prepare three cybersecurity lesson plans for their students. Free on-campus housing will be available.

Participants will be required to attend virtual pre-camp activities. After completing the program, they will receive a $1,500 stipend and can obtain Act 48 continuing education credits. Next fall, there will be a one-day cyber challenge event on campus featuring the camp’s teachers and their students.

Sandra Gorka, professor of computer science and department head, will be the camp’s lead instructor. She’ll be assisted by R. Scott Alexander, a computer systems networking instructor at Jersey Shore Area Senior High School, and Jacob R. Miller, a part-time Penn College faculty member.

“This grant ultimately provides an opportunity to expose students in grades five through 12 to cybersecurity concepts that will help produce a better cybersecurity-aware society,” Gorka said.

According to a Ponemon Institute report, the average cost of a data breach in the United States last year was $9.44 million.

Applications for the camp will become available later this year. Questions in the interim can be directed to McNett.

The GenCyber program is supported by the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation.

Penn College has several IT-related degree options, including a baccalaureate in information assurance & cyber security.  For information on those and other programs offered by Penn College’s School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.

The college is a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.