The Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center welcomed over 100 students to the first STEMfest for surrounding middle schoolers on Wednesday, March 20.
With students from Richmond, Columbia, Aiken and Glascock County, the Georgia Cyber Center’s STEMfest invited middle schoolers from all walks of life to learn about the diverse field of cybersecurity and STEM, otherwise known as science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“We have a great group of students here today,” said Todd Gay, director of outreach and engagement for the Georgia Cyber Center.
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As an overwhelming number of schools have expressed interest in bringing students to the center, Gay said the event dedicated a full day to invite students from 11 private, magnet and public middle schools to showcase how cyber interests can lead to various career pathways.
“Getting these middle schoolers involved as early as we can is so important, because they’re still trying to figure out what they want to do,” Gay said. “… so it’s about involving them to see these different cyber security companies, talking to them and the schools about educational pathways, and maybe even showing them what they can do to one day have a career in cyber security.”
Presented by the Cyber Fusion Innovation Center and the Georgia Cyber Center, STEMfest is a bi-annual event sponsored by Conceal, the Savannah River National Lab, the CSRA Alliance for Fort Eisenhower and Augusta Technical College, which offers a day filled with engaging and educational activities.
Requiring all hands-on-deck from center employees for the jam-packed, interactive day, Gay said activities included a cybersecurity-themed escape room, capture the flag, a playdough circuit, Esports and vendor communication.
“We’re inspiring young men and women to be the next generation of STEM leaders and cyber warriors, because we know that we have a huge deficit in our workforce,” said Executive Director of the Georgia Cyber Center Eric Toler. “We felt that middle school is the perfect age for hands-on experience, and to get them excited so hopefully they’ll want to pursue this as a career.”
According to Gay, the event’s overall goal is to excite students and instill new career interest by overcoming industry stereotypes.
“I just hope they walk away with excitement … maybe they walk away thinking this is a career they can do and with confidence knowing that cybersecurity is not so farfetched,” said Gay. “I want them to walk away with more knowledge of the job industry and knowing they had a great time.”
Richmond County 2022-23 Teacher of the Year from Langford Middle School, Shikara Willis, said she felt the event was an eye opening opportunity, as she feels that many students tend to underestimate their potential and abilities.
“Being able to come to the first STEM-event of the year is a great opportunity for our students to be able to witness technology firsthand, and – especially being at the Georgia Cyber Center – learn of the different career paths,” Willis said. “We want to make sure our kids are able to compete globally, and this is one of the ways in which we can do that.”
By journeying outside of the classroom and experiencing new lessons and careers, Willis said she hopes each of her students leaves the center feeling inspired.
“We want to make sure we introduce our students to the different types of technology and career paths that are available to them,” she said. “So that once they go out into the workforce, they will know the different avenues to take.”
Willis’ eighth grade students Kenneth Williams and Osage Jefferson said they both were incredibly impressed with the center and the event even sparked newfound cyber curiosity.
“I’ve liked it so far. We did some coding and it was actually really easy,” said Williams. “I would definitely come back … after coming to this, I’m fitting to try and have a job here.”
While Williams heavily enjoyed participating in coding and Esports, Jefferson said his favorite portion of the day was connecting with new students from other schools.
“I liked talking with other people … we even saw some old friends,” he said. “Cybersecurity is very versatile. This was a good experience.”
For more information about the more educational opportunities at the Georgia Cyber Center, visit: https://www.gacybercenter.org/
