Middle Schoolers Tackle Cybersecurity at Camp

Nearly four dozen middle school students attended the KC7 Cybersecurity Summer Camp hosted by The Hub for Innovative Learning & Leadership (The HILL). The five-day program was a collaborative effort led by the KC7 Foundation, The HILL, Fayette Education Foundation, Partners for Youth, and the FCPS Office of Innovation. 

Campers investigated a realistic cyber incident, analyzed digital evidence, identified potential threats, and presented their findings. Along the way, they developed skills in critical thinking, communication, data analysis, digital forensics, and open-source intelligence.

“This camp helps students see themselves as problem-solvers while introducing them to one of the fastest-growing career fields in the world,” said Bryan Quillen, cybersecurity instructor at The HILL. “Students leave with technical knowledge, increased confidence, and a better understanding of how technology impacts our daily lives.”

The STEM camp is designed for underserved and at-risk youth populations in our Title I schools. Participants did not need prior experience in cybersecurity, coding, or computer science.