About 150 San Angelo ISD students participated in an innovative day centered on cybersecurity and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) during Angelo State University’s Fourth Annual Youth Cybersecurity Workshop & Expo on April 3. Held at ASU’s University Center, the event connected teachers and students with leaders in cybersecurity and introduced students to career pathways in the field. SAISD students from 12 elementary schools and all three middle schools participated in hands-on activities aimed at building foundational cybersecurity skills while encouraging critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation.

“I thought the event was incredibly well-planned and executed seamlessly,” said Brandon Ligon, SAISD Digital Innovation Facilitator. “I kept hearing positive feedback from both teachers and participants who were genuinely impressed with how everything came together.”

More than 70 SAISD elementary students participated in two workshops: CyberThreat Protector Skills Expo and Cyber Safety and Hygiene/Crack the Password. During the CyberThreat Protector Skills Expo, students competed against each other in a card game using cybersecurity terminology and concepts they learned. The goal was to build a network of assets quickly while defending that network from their opponent’s attempts to disrupt the system with cyber threats. After each match, the winning student’s name was entered into a drawing for prizes.

“This event continues to grow each year, bringing new partnerships and exciting possibilities,” Mr. Ligon said. “Our middle school students engaged in AI-inspired activities and exploration, while 5th graders dove into the Cyber Threat Protector card game. This year, we elevated the competition – students battled it out for 1st through 4th place, and the energy was epic!”

Congratulations to the winners:

• First place – Fort Concho Elementary
• Second place – Goliad Elementary
• Third place – Lamar Elementary

Meanwhile, 75 students from all three SAISD middle schools rotated through five immersive sessions: Cyber Range, Continuous Threat Detection Demo, AI Workshops, Career Exploration and a Drone Demo. High school Cyber Patriot teams from Central and Lake View were also recognized during the event. 

“My favorite part each year is seeing students return in new roles,” Mr. Ligon said. “Former elementary students are now competing on Cyber Patriot teams and past 5th graders I’ve worked with on Tech Teams are continuing their passion and stepping into the world of cybersecurity. It’s amazing to watch their growth and see how opportunities like this can spark a lasting journey for our students.” 

Businesses and Organizations Join ASU Departments to Help Students Explore Education and Career Pathways

Throughout the day, in between sessions, students had the opportunity to visit with various organizations, businesses and ASU departments and learn about different career fields and receive hands-on experience. 

Snider Technology (Snider IT) was among the many organizations, businesses and ASU departments that participated in this year’s Career Pathways during the Expo. Specializing in technology support for small to medium-sized businesses, Snider IT also offers cybersecurity services. Jorden Newberry, a technology consultant who designs computer networks, represented the company, giving students a chance to learn about its work and the role of a computer systems designer while answering their questions.

“An event of this nature is EXTREMELY valuable for our youth nowadays,” said Mr. Newberry. “The ability to engage with them at such a young age and teach them about technology and the threats associated with these technologies that all adults in their day-to-day work lives deal with each week right now is invaluable … I did have the opportunities to engage with and teach a few youths while working at our booth and was not only impressed at the knowledge they already have but also, I hope that I was able to impart something they can take with them.”

Other organizations, businesses and ASU departments that participated in the Education and Career Pathways included: ASU Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice; ASU Department of Computer Science; ASU Regional Security Operations Center; ASU College of Science and Engineering; ASU College of Graduate Studies and Research; Goodfellow Air Force Base; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; TCP Software; and First Financial Bank.

“I thought the Expo was a tremendous success,” said Dr. Scarlet Clouse, Dean of the College of Education at ASU. “Every year, the planning committee finds new and innovative ways to engage students of all ages. After four years, it’s amazing that we can still run an event that is challenging and full of energy.”

SAISD is proud of the growing community-wide cybersecurity program piloted by ASU and the University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security in partnership with SAISD and the City of San Angelo. This initiative plays a key role in helping students pursue their future-ready goals. We also extend our appreciation to the SAISD Difference Makers whose efforts continue to provide impactful and successful STEM learning in our classrooms.

To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X.

About the San Antonio Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security Program

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