STEM Webinar:

Cybersecurity Education 101

August 25, 2020
DISCLAIMER

Any content or opinions expressed in this 

webinar are not that of the U.S. Department 

of Education nor an endorsement of any 

persons, products, programs, or policies 

mentioned herein.

QUESTIONS patti.curtis@ed.gov
Chile 2019
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Presenters

ALBERT PALACIOS

OFFICE OF CAREER, TECHNICAL 

& ADULT EDUCATION, US DEPT 

OF EDUCATION

DAVINA PRUITT-MENTLE

NATIONAL INITIATIVE FOR 

CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION, 

NIST

CHUCK GARDNER

CYBER.ORG

LINDSEY VINCENT

LOUISIANA TECH 

UNIVERSITY

KARA FOUR BEAR

EAGLE BUTTE PUBLIC 

SCHOOLS, SD

DONNA WOODS

CANYON SPRINGS HS, CA

MORENO VALLEY COLLEGE
Albert
Davina Pruitt-Mentle, Ph.D.

Lead for Academic Engagement

National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education 

(NICE)

National Institute of Standards and Technology

U.S. Department of Commerce

nist.gov/nice

dpruitt@nist.gov

 Prior to joining NICE, she was a senior researcher and policy analyst for Educational Technology Policy, 

Research and Outreach (ETPRO) and served as the Co-PI for the National Science Foundation (NSF) 

supported National Cyberwatch Center (NCC). 

 Previous to NCC leadership, she served as faculty within the College of Education at the University of 

Maryland, College Park, and served as Director of Educational Technology Outreach within the College of 

Education at UMCP. 

 She has spent the past 20 years conducting research on student and educator cyberawareness, and

developing programs to help increase the cybersecurity workforce pipeline. 

 Ph.D. in Educational Technology Policy from the University of Maryland, M.Ed in Secondary Science 

Education from Lynchburg College, and B.S. in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech. Prior teaching experience 

at four year university, four year liberal arts college, and taught high school chemistry and physics. 

Government contractor at Naval Research Lab testing JP5 Jet Fuels. 
Davina Pruitt-Mentle, PhD, Lead for Academic Engagement, 

NICE/NIST, US Department of Commerce
Mission of NICE

To energize and promote a robust 

network and an ecosystem of 

cybersecurity education, training, and 

workforce development.

9
National Strategic Plan for Cybersecurity Education, 

Training, and Workforce Development 

nistgov/nice

NICE Strategic Plan K12 Implementation Plan

10
11
NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework – NIST SP 800-181

Reference Resource for Cybersecurity Workforce Development 

SECURELY

PROVISION

OPERATE

AND

MAINTAIN

OVERSEE

AND 

GOVERN

PROTECT

AND

DEFEND

ANALYZE

COLLECT

AND

OPERATE

INVESTIGATE

• Specialty Areas (33) – Distinct areas of cybersecurity work;

• Work Roles (52) – The most detailed groupings of IT, cybersecurity or cyber-related work, 

which include specific knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform a set of tasks.

• Tasks – Specific work activities that could be assigned to a professional working in one 

of the NCWF’s Work Roles; and,

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) –

• Attributes required to perform Tasks, generally 

demonstrated through relevant experience 

or performance-based education and training.

• Audience:

• Employers

• Current and Future Cybersecurity Workers

• Training and Certification Providers

• Education Providers

• Technology Providers
Increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of students pursuing 

cybersecurity careers 

• rigorous academic programs, 

• learning experiences, 

• awareness and exposure to career 

opportunities, 

• high quality teacher professional 

development, and

• information regarding available 

internship and scholarship prospects

1. Increase Career 

Awareness

2. Infuse Cybersecurity 

Across the Education 

Portfolio 

3. Stimulate Innovative 

Educational 

Approaches

4. Identify Academic and 

Career Pathways

13
NICE K12 Sample Initiatives 

K12 

Working 

Group

Encouraging a 

more deliberate 

focus among new 

and existing 

efforts and 

create synergies 

among programs 

and agencies

Open 

Knowledge 

Network

nicek12athome.

weebly.com

K12 Educational 

Materials: 

Content Review 

and Repository 

Recommendations

Pathways

Curation of 

known CTE 

programs and 

educational 

resources and 

development of 

Toolkit of how to 

develop a 

successful CTE 

Cybersecurity 

Program

Associations

/Standards

Cross mapping 

NICE Framework 

and nationally 

recognized K12 

Standards. 

Content analysis 

standardization 

and searchable 

database

Cybersecurity 

Career 

Awareness 

Week

Inspiring and 

promoting 

awareness & 

exploration of 

cybersecurity 

careers

National K12 

Cybersecurity 

Education 

Conference

Bringing together 

K12 educators 

and those 

interested in K12 

cybersecurity 

education for 

today’s youth

Computational

Literacy

Defining what 

components, key 

concepts, and/or 

topics are needed 

to integrate 

computational 

literacy into STEM 

education at all 

levels

14
Main conference: Dec. 7 & 8 Preconference: Dec. 5 & 6

Post conference webinars

On-demand sessions

Cyber Signing Day

Keynotes:

Sylvia Acevedo, CSO, Girl Scouts of 

the USA

Roy Zur, CEO, Cybint

Samuel Grant, Student Keynote Student Engagement Counselor Panel

Morning Yoga Digital Badges/Certificates

Virtual Exhibit Hall Raffle Prizes

Build Computational Literacy

17
Thank you!

dpruitt@nist.gov
Chuck Gardner, Ed.D.

Director of Curricula

CYBER.ORG

chuck.gardner@cyber.org

• 1994 Graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy

• 10-year veteran of the maritime industry

• Switched to education in 2006

• Taught middle school in Brevard County, Florida and 

high school in New Orleans, Louisiana

• Left the classroom in 2015 to work with CYBER.ORG 

in Bossier City, Louisiana

• Worked with Basset Hound rescue in Florida starting in 2005

• Have had Bassets in my house ever since, including 7 foster 

dogs at one point!

• Married to my high school sweetheart

• One daughter at Louisiana Tech University (Ruston, LA)

• One son at Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, LA)

• Employers are desperate for cyber degree 

program
Overview Briefing

Dr. Chuck Gardner

Director of Curricula

chuck.gardner@cyber.org

August 2020
THE WHY

Critical Cyber Workforce Shortage

Our national security and economic 

stability depends on us solving it.

• Employers are desperate for cyber 

degree program graduates.3

• 504,316 cybersecurity job 

vacancies (Oct. 2018- Sep. 2019)1,

and the shortage continues to grow2

• Cybercriminals now responsible for 

billions in losses per year and 

state-sponsored hacking groups 

posing an ever-greater threat.3

Cybersecurity Supply/Demand Heat Map

Total Job Openings

1 CyberSeek.org

2 Supporting the Growth and Sustainment of the Nation’s Cybersecurity Workforce. https://www.nist.gov/ sites/default/files/documents/2018/07/24/eo_wf_report_ to_potus.pdf

3 The Cybersecurity Workforce Gap. William Crumpler & James A. Lewis. https://csis-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/publication/190129_Crumpler_Cybersecurity_FINAL.pdf
THE WHAT

Workforce Development Programs

The solution for solving 

this workforce crisis is 

developing a capable 

national workforce, 

bolstered by a 

dependable pipeline of 

individuals entering that 

workforce at every level 

of education.
THE HOW

CYBER.ORG Solution

• Develop and distribute K-12 cyber 

resources

• Curriculum and partner projects like Palo 

Alto Networks Cyber ACES, Girl Scout 

Cybersecurity Badges, Career Profile Cards 

• Empower K-12 educators through 

train-the-trainer model

• Specialize in equipping teachers with 

curricula and training as we cannot reach all 

K-12 students directly, teachers are our 

force multipliers. Train-the trainer model.

• Scalable Program Model

• CYBER.ORG’s replicable program model 

allows for continued national expansion 

through multi-level K-12 education 

engagement.

We believe that the solution starts with reshaping 

K-12 education to include cyber career 

awareness, curricular resources and professional 

development. 
THE HOW

CYBER.ORG Curricula and Professional Development 

CYBER.ORG’s Content and Curricula is the 

vehicle by which we reach students with 

cyber education and training as well raising 

cyber career awareness

Strategic Curricula & Professional Development Partners
Pathway Opportunities for High School Students

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Computer Science Track

Cyber Literacy 1 Cyber Literacy 2 Adv Math Computer Science 

(AP CSP)

Cybersecurity Track

Cyber Literacy 1 Cyber Literacy 2 Cyber Science Cybersecurity

(based on VACR)

Elective Opportunities

Computational Thinking . Cyber Society
Lindsey Vincent, 

Ed.D.

• Former High School English Teacher

• Certified Biology Educator

• Certified Adult Educator

• Associate Dean, Research, Outreach, and 

Innovation in the College of Education

• Director, Science and Technology Education 

Center
Cyber Education Certificate 

Program

Dr. Lindsey Vincent

Dr. Chuck Gardner

| lbkv@latech.edu

| chuck.gardner@cyber.org
The Cyber Education Certificate

• A 1-year online program through the College of Education at Louisiana 

Tech University consisting of 4 courses:

• History of STEM and cyber education: An educational perspective

• STEM methods of instruction for cyber learning

• Cyber literacy

• Cyber-related project- and problem-based instruction for STEM practitioners

• Based on classroom content that was developed by CYBER.ORG and 

faculty from LA-Tech’s College of Engineering and Science and College 

of Education.
Details about the Certificate Program

• A 1-year cohort program that typically starts in the fall

• Grants CEU’s and graduate course credits for your professional 

development

• Scholarship funds currently available through the Office of Professional 

Education Outreach in the College of Education but are limited.

• For more information or to register for the fall cohort by September 1:

• Contact Erika Jones (erikaj@latech.edu) , or email scitec@latech.edu
Additional Collaborative Cyber Ed Efforts 

with SciTEC and CYBER.ORG 

• Development of National Cyber Ed. Standards

• Student and Teacher focused programming for state and partnership grant 

awards through the USDOE’s GEAR UP opportunity

• NSF NOYCE Cyber Teach Award

• NSF Includes

• Development of Computational Thinking Curriculum

• Development of Drone Flight Afterschool Curriculum with the Boys and Girls 

Club, UTeachTech, and AE Phillips Laboratory School

• Expansion of Impact through the Louisiana Board of Regents SCILS STEM Center

The Science & Technology Education Center (SciTEC) at Louisiana Tech University is an active outreach 

program of the College of Education organized to serve the surrounding school systems and communities.
History of STEM and Cyber Ed

• The important events and thinkers in STEM and cyber education

• Cyber career and education paths

• STEM + cyber projects and curricula

• Developing a cyber lesson plan
STEM Methods of Instruction for Cyber 

Learning

• How our current students learn

• Alignment of STEM courses and cyber activities

• Overview of PBL for cyber instruction

• Integrating literacy with STEM cyber instruction

• Cyber security and safety
Cyber Literacy

• Technology for cyber instruction: robotics, programming, and electronics

• Integrating the humanities with cyber and STEM

• Critical cyber literacy – passwords and cyber-bullying

• Legal issues related to cyber
Cyber-Related PBL Instruction for STEM 

Practitioners

• Effective use of PBL with a cyber focus

• Effective use of design thinking with a cyber focus

• Instructional tools and methods of unconventional engagement

• Project implementation, assessment, and evaluation
• 2019-2020 recipient of the North Dakota 

Governor’s Innovation in Education Award 

for Excellence in Building Leadership

• 2020 recipient of the Presidential 

Cybersecurity Educator’s Award

• Contributes to state-wide educational 

technology-based initiatives

• Helps develop robust, relevant, and 

equitable academic programming 

• Four Bear is a connected educator and 

may be found via LinkedIn or Twitter 

@NDNEducation

STEM/Cyber Education Focused 

Curriculum & Development 

Kara Four Bear

Superintendent Eagle Butte Public 

School District

Eagle Butte, SD
Phase I: 2017-2018 Building the Foundation 

Planting the Seeds of Innovative Practices, 

“What if...?”

• ANSEP Dissemination Team: Research Opportunity - Alaska Native Science and Engineering 

Program 

• Culture Shift – Continuous, Ongoing – Facilities, Practices, Mindsets - MTSS Professional 

Development 

• Initial Core Instructional Team (returning) Inter-curricular and STEM Specific Training - NMSI 

Workshops, NSTA STEM Forum

• Valley City State University (VCSU) Summer STEM Academy – Cohort I (pilot project)
Phase I: 2017-2018 

Building the 

Foundation

Planting the Seeds 

of Innovative 

Practices...

“What if...?”
Phase I: 2017-2018 Building the Foundation 

Planting the Seeds of Innovative Practices...

“What if...?”
Phase II: 2018-2019 Developing the Structure 

Strengthening the Roots...We are each part of the 

TEAM!

• Culture Shift – Continuous, Ongoing – Facilities, Practices, Mindsets, Stakeholders - MTSS Professional Development (cont.); NICERC Training (#20); currently working through the Cognia process to become an Cognia STEM certified 

program/school. 

• Development of Depts. and Inter-curricular Collaborations – STEM Academy core class, development of a 6th grade computer class with a “ND DPI Choice Ready Initiative” theme, the integration of Microsoft Suite skill-building, careers exposure, and cyber-security education utilizing the NICERC Computer Science and CyberSecurity Curriculum; the subsequent redesign of our MS curriculum to include authentic and creative inter-curricular planning and learning, and 21st Century skills in action

• Creative Scheduling, Interventions, and a Boost in Computer/Technology Supports: Implementation of the NICERC 

curriculum, Microsoft Suite skill-builders, additional computer carts, expansion of software exposure and use for students and staff, acquiring classroom sets of STEM technology learning supplies/tools, and the addition of a SmartLab

EOY

• Stakeholder and Community Partnerships – STEM Saturdays, Chess Club, Stakeholder Input Community Meetings, Family Nights, and strategic planning to meet the desired views and/or recommendations of stakeholders 

• VCSU Summer STEM Academy – Cohort I, Cohort II, and the addition of another District’s Middle School Cohort I 

• District-Wide and Building Impacts: Development of a Computer Science class to benefit MS and HS students utilizing the Microsoft TEALS & CODE.org curriculum, a developing alignment of a district-wide curricular pathway for STEM education (K-12), MS participation in NASA education projects, MS participation in regional STEM and medical field youth workshops, an increased showing of MS students involved in Science Fairs at the local, Tribal, and State levels, and the 

Integration of the ND DPI Choice Ready Initiative at the MS level starting in grade 6
Phase II: 2018-2019 Developing the Structure 

Strengthening the Roots..We are each part of 

the TEAM!
Phase II: 2018-2019 Developing the Structure 

Strengthening the Roots---We are each part of 

the TEAM!
Phase II: 2018-2019 Developing the Structure 

Strengthening the Roots...We are each part of 

the TEAM!
Phase III:2019-2020 Strengthening the Framework 

Cultivating Our Garden...We are ALL learners and 

grow as a TEAM!

• Evaluate, Adjust: Culture Shift – Continuous, Ongoing – Facilities, Practices, Mindsets, 

Stakeholders - PBIS Program Launch

• Evaluate, Adjust: Development of Departments and Inter-curricular Collaborations - STEM 

SmartLab Launch, National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Launch

• Evaluate, Adjust: Participation in the National Science Competitions, NASA competitions, and 

other student competitions, STEM Camp – Cohort I, Cohort II, Cohort III

• Evaluate, Adjust: Stakeholder and Community Partnerships – Increased Parental Involvement, 

MS Parent Booster Group

• Evaluate, Adjust: Instructional Team Inter-curricular and STEM Specific Training - Ongoing 

NICERC Training, EduTech Training,

• **Cognia/Cognia STEM Certification Goal
Phase III:2019-2020 Strengthening the Framework 

Cultivating Our Garden...We are ALL learners and 

grow as a TEAM!
Phase III:2019-2020 Strengthening the Framework 

Cultivating Our Garden..We are ALL learners and 

grow as a TEAM!
It truly does take a village...thank you to our 

partners in education and beyond for your 

support of our learners and our mission.

• Cyber.org

• EduTech ND

• Microsoft ND & Microsoft TEALS Program

• Alaska Native American Science & Engineering Program

• ND Center for Distance Education

• Creative Learning Solutions SmartLab

• ND Department of Public Instruction

• ND United Teacher Organization

• ND University System – Valley City State University, Minot 

State University 

• ND County Extension Offices

• Governor Burgum’s ND K20-W Initiative Team

• US Department of Education

• Staff, students, families, and our community!
Thank you!
Donna Woods is a high school, dual-enrollment ICT/Cybersecurity Educator (20 Yrs.) at Canyon Springs HS in Moreno 

Valley, California. She also serves as the Academic Relations Manager for SynED/Cyber-Guild supporting and facilitating 

collaborative efforts between industry partners, community colleges, high schools, and legislative leaders throughout 

California and the US. 

She is thoroughly dedicated to strategic mission and vision of NICE K12, ensuring equitable access to all students who 

endeavor to pursue viable ICT/Cyber careers. Mrs. Woods has been recognized for her dedicated work through receiving 

the Riverside County CTE Educator of the Year (2016); 61st Assembly District Women of Distinction Award (2018); 

Riverside County Model of Academic Excellence/Cyber Academic Pathway (2019); and the inaugural 2019-2020 

Presidential Cybersecurity Educator’s Award.
Cyber Education 

for All, by All

A new perspective on why 

Cyber Education matters
MVUSD

Workforce ICT/Cybersecurity

Quick Facts

U.S. Total Workforce 922,720

Job Openings 507,924 

3.5 Million 

Jobs Globally

All Industry Sectors

are Impacted with ICT 

Workforce Demand

Destructive 

Attacks Up 102%

PowerGrid, Supply Chain, 

IoT, Emergency Services

Dark Web Economy in 

now the 3rd Largest 

Economy in the World

Up 900% in 3 Years

Personal, Home, Work

31 Billion 

Connected 

Devices

3% of the World’s 

Population are still not 

connected to the Internet

50
MVUSD

“Cyber-Security is much 

more than a matter of IT.”

- Stéphane Nappo

2018 Global CISO of the Year 

Strengths 

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

S.W.O.T Analysis

Since Cybersecurity is our collective responsibility, 

how can we make a difference in our classroom?

51
MVUSD

Personal S.W.O.T Analysis

Strengths

Opportunities

Internal

Convenience

Inconvenient

Weaknesses

Threats

External

52
MVUSD

Our Collective Cyber Ed Focus

Cyber Hygiene

Practices and steps that 

users of computers and 

other devices take to 

maintain system health 

and improve online 

security.

Digital Citizenship

Developing the skills and 

knowledge to effectively 

use the Internet and 

other digital technology, 

especially in order to 

participate responsibly in 

social and civic activities.

National Movement

Equips K-12 teachers 

with cybersecurity 

curricula, framework, 

and education tools.

Equity-Minded

Perspective or mode of 

thinking exhibited by 

practitioners who call 

attention to patterns of 

inequity in student 

outcomes.

Current & Relevant

Appropriate to the 

current time, period, or 

circumstances; of 

contemporary interest

53
MVUSD

Remote Learning?

Cyber Education in All Curriculum

A Teacher Leader thinks Beyond the Walls of their 

classroom, to see what their Impact can be

Prioritized Planned Purposeful

54
MVUSD

Classroom to 

Homeroom

Free Tools & Resources for Every Educator

NICE K12 

https://www.nist.gov/i

tl/appliedcybersecurity/nice

Cyber A.C.E.S

https://start.paloalton

etworks.com/cyberaces.html

Cyber-Guild

https://cyberguild.org/

iKeepSafe

https://ikeepsafe.org/

55
MVUSD

You Make a Difference

Cybersecurity & Equity in Education

National Survey & Report

https://cyber.org/news/state-cybersecurity-education-k-12-schools

Equity In Virtual Learning - Dr. Frank Harris III and Dr. J. Luke Wood 

https://www.niu.edu/keepteaching/workshops/equity-in-virtual-learning.shtml

Key Points:

Be Intrusive; Be Relational; Be Culturally Relevant & Affirming; 

Be Community Focused; Be Race Conscious 

56
Thank 

You

Donna Woods

dwoods@mvusd.net

Donna.woods@ca-cyberhub.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnawoods-7117a167/
MVUSD

Sources

○ https://cybersecurityventures.com/jobs/

○ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm

○ https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/29/cybercrime-ramps-up-amid-coronavirus-chaos-costing-companiesbillions.html

○ https://www.statista.com/statistics/471264/iot-number-of-connected-devices-worldwide/

○ https://techjury.net/blog/how-many-iot-devices-are-there/#gref

○ https://review42.com/internet-of-things-stats/

○ https://ikeepsafe.org/

○ https://cyber-guild.org/

○ https://www.nist.gov/itl/applied-cybersecurity/nice

○ https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/cyber-aces.html

58
Questions/Discussion

Email questions to: patti.curtis@ed.gov
ALBERT PALACIOS

OFFICE OF CAREER, 

TECHNICAL & ADULT 

EDUCATION

DAVINA PRUITT-MENTLE

NATIONAL INITIATIVE FOR 

CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION, 

NIST

CHUCK GARDNER

CYBER.ORG

LINDSEY VINCENT

LOUISIANA TECH 

UNIVERSITY

KARA FOUR BEAR

EAGLE BUTTE PUBLIC 

SCHOOLS, SD

DONNA WOODS

CANYON SPRINGS HS, CA

MORENO VALLEY COLLEGE