San Angelo ISD 5th Graders Take on Cyber Security

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Over 90 fifth graders from San Angelo ISD gathered at the school district's Administration Building to participate in a “Cyber Threat Protector” card game tournament.

"Cyber Threat Protector is a fun and engaging way for our younger students to learn about cybersecurity and practice protecting assets from hackers and viruses by utilizing defenses," San Angelo ISD stated.

During the tournament, students were provided with an overview of essential cybersecurity information and defense strategies, according to the school district. 

Students played six 7-minute games against students from across the district.

They learned basic cybersecurity terminology, reinforced their understanding of network infrastructure, and learned about the relationships between cyber-attacks and defense countermeasures, real-world challenges, and facts and historical information connected to the cybersecurity field. 

"My favorite aspect of this event was witnessing the students' interactions with their peers from other campuses,” said SAISD Digital Innovation Facilitator Brandon Ligon. “They demonstrated exemplary communication skills and sportsmanship, engaging in handshakes, congratulations, and mutual encouragement. Their positive and competitive spirit was truly inspiring."

The twelve elementary campuses with the highest points earned by their students at this tournament will go on to participate in Angelo State University’s annual Youth Cybersecurity Workshop and Expo in April and compete again in another Cyber Threat Protector tournament. 

Information states that this event is part of the ongoing community-wide cybersecurity program being piloted in San Angelo by ASU and the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security.

The program, funded by a $1.67 million grant from the National Security Agency, is designed to help entire communities become more cyber-secure. Once the two-year pilot implementation is complete, it will be transferable and applicable to communities of any size nationwide.

"SAISD is proud of the ongoing community-wide cybersecurity program being piloted in San Angelo by ASU and the University of Texas at San Antonio's CIAS in partnership with SAISD and the City of San Angelo, and supports students' pursuit of their future-ready goals," the school district stated. "SAISD extends appreciation to our own SAISD Difference Makers who help provide impactful and successful STEM learning in our classrooms." 

For more information and pictures, click here.