Following the successful launch at the end of last year, Grok Academy will be re-launching Cyber Comp this month to enable students who would have previously been focusing on exams to participate and test their cyber skills.
With many new students starting the 2023 school year with new devices, it’s a good time to focus on cybersecurity and increasing awareness of how to stay safe online.
As cyber crime is still increasingly targeting and impacting young people, developing and supporting cybersecurity skills from an early age is becoming more vital.
What is Cyber Comp?
Cyber Comp is the first course of the Cyber Skills Aotearoa programme and will run from 27 February until 31 March 2023. It’s open to all school students in years 6-13 and is designed to take a whole lesson.
During Cyber Comp, students will experience a range of 12 age-appropriate scenarios from a hackers’ perspective, learning how the information they share online can be used by bad actors, and ways they can better protect their privacy.
Three further Cyber Skills Aotearoa challenges are planned for later this year, covering Information Security, Web Application Security, and Cryptography.
Cyber Skills Aotearoa
Cyber Skills Aotearoa has been developed by Grok Academy for New Zealand schools in partnership with CORE Education Tātai Aho Rau, the New Zealand Government and industry partners including Network for Learning.
The online resources provide teachers and students with classroom-ready activities and challenges to help students gain a greater understanding of the importance of protecting their personal information. It also aims to teach them how to evaluate emails and text messages and understand what they should do should they fall victim to scams.
How do I enrol my students in Cyber Skills Aotearoa?
To enrol students and teachers for Cyber Comp or for more information, go to grok.nz/cyber-n4l.
Free to use resources have been created in both English and te reo Māori to ensure all students, including those in kura kaupapa Māori, can take part. Resources include sets of professionally printed cyber cards – a useful classroom resource to engage students in discussions about online privacy and security.
