Looking to support STEM education? Join the more than 1,000 teams that have already registered to compete in AFA's CyberPatriot VIII National Youth Cyber Defense Competition
ARLINGTON, Va., June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Registration for the Air Force Association's National Youth Cyber Defense Competition is underway. With over 1,000 teams already signed up to participate in the eighth season of CyberPatriot, which kicks off in October, the CyberPatriot VIII field is well on track to surpass the 2,175 teams that registered last season. The currently registered teams represent 47 states, Canada, and U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Germany, South Korea, and Japan.
CyberPatriot aims to inspire high school and middle school students to pursue careers in cyber security and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. CyberPatriot's unique structure provides students hands-on learning about technology, emphasizing teamwork and leadership, and exercising critical-thinking skills.
To see CyberPatriot teams in action and to hear about the program's impact on students, educators, and industry leaders, check out the new CyberPatriot promotional video here.
How the Competition Works
A CyberPatriot team consists of a Coach and two to six students enrolled in the same middle school, high school, or other approved youth or educational organization. CyberPatriot provides fundamental training materials and encourages Coaches to work with technical Mentors who register on the CyberPatriot website to volunteer to help train teams for competition. Neither Coaches nor Competitors need any special technical background, and the competition's structure is designed to keep students of all skill levels engaged throughout the season.
During the competition's preliminary rounds, teams compete online from their home locations on software that simulates real network environments IT professionals face. In a secure environment, CyberPatriot places cybersecurity vulnerabilities in simulated networks, and Competitors gain points by finding and fixing them. The competition has a tournament-style tiered structure, and teams advance based on scores from each round until the top 28 teams are identified. Those top qualifying teams then receive all-expenses-paid trips to the CyberPatriot National Finals Competition held in Baltimore, Md., in April 2016.
All US high schools, middle schools, approved home school programs, Junior ROTC units of all Services, US Naval Sea Cadet Corps squadrons, Civil Air Patrol squadrons, scouting units, Boys and Girls clubs, and other approved youth organizations are invited to participate.
Registration closes October 9, 2015 and teams that submit their applications before July 1 will lock in a 20% discount to the team registration fee. For more information on the program and to sign up for CyberPatriot VIII visit www.uscyberpatriot.org!
The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage.
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SOURCE Air Force Association
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