Welcome to RCYC
Introductory presentation for Teachers and Advisors
1. Introduction to Raices Cyber
Mission Statement: Included in Canva presentation.
Core Pillars: Educational Opportunities, Networking, Coaching and Mentoring, Career Exploration and Development.
Example: "Our core pillars guide everything we do, ensuring that both students and educators are supported and prepared for success."
Key Partners and Sponsors: Logos and highlights.
2. RCYC Overview
"RCYC empowers 9-12 grade students with engaging educational materials and hands-on activities to explore cybersecurity opportunities. The program emphasizes foundational cybersecurity concepts and skill-building while fostering teamwork through student-led chapters and competitions. RCYC bridges education and industry by providing exposure to real-world challenges and career pathways, ensuring students graduate with industry-relevant skills."
Foundational and Job-Ready Learning for Students:
Hands-On Activities: Labs, simulations, and challenges to develop critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Student Chapters: National competitions, collaborative projects, and leadership opportunities.
Bridging Education and Industry: Provides real-world challenges and pathways for students to graduate job-ready and equipped for further learning or careers in cybersecurity.
3. How Raíces Cyber Aligns with and Enhances CTE Standards
RCYC builds on Raíces Cyber's core pillars while enhancing traditional CTE models to provide students and teachers with a comprehensive, career-focused framework.
Raíces’ Core Pillars Aligned with CTE Standards:
Educational Opportunities: Skills-based learning with hands-on, career-oriented education.
Networking: Fostering industry and peer connections that benefit both students and teachers.
Coaching/Mentoring: Guided development for students while supporting teachers’ and advisors’ career growth.
Career Development: Preparing students for career readiness through skill-building and industry-aligned guidance.
How RCYC Enhances Traditional CTE Models, six key areas:
Professional Development: Practical certifications and micro-credentials or - Practical certifications and micro-credentials through partnerships with organizations like Google, EC-Council, and Raíces Cyber Academy.
Social Activities: Collaboration across local and national chapters or - Student-led initiatives that foster collaboration within and beyond local chapters.
Business and Industry Connections: Monthly presentations and networking opportunities. OR Monthly presentations from leaders in government, academia, and industry. - Networking opportunities to expand professional connections.
Financial Leadership: Students manage chapter finances and fundraising initiatives with guidance from advisors.
Community Service: Cyber-Expos and community service presentations to increase cybersecurity awareness.
Public Relations: Amplifying student achievements with support from faculty and Raíces’ marketing team.
Support from school faculty and Raíces Cyber's marketing team to share chapter achievements and student success stories.
4. Why Establish a Chapter?
Benefits for Students: Highlight: hands-on skill-building, leadership opportunities, industry certifications, and competitive events.
Professional Development for Teachers-Advisors: Resources and growth opportunities for teachers/advisors: training, networking, and mentorship. More details #7
School and Community Culture Impact: How having a chapter can positively affects school culture, community engagement, and local partnerships (student internship, day in job @)
5. Courses and Activities in the RCYC Program
RCYC provides engaging, industry-focused opportunities to help students develop both technical and personal skills needed in the workforce. Through hands-on labs, simulations, competitions, and challenges, students learn in fun and meaningful ways while exploring various facets of cybersecurity and beyond.
Course Topics:
Cybersecurity Basics: Introduction to Cybersecurity, exploring pathways in the field, understanding different teams and roles, artificial intelligence basics, and conducting skills assessments.
Specialized Skills Training: Training in Capture the Flag (CTF) techniques, Social Engineering, and Protect and Defend scenarios.
Experiential Learning: Participation in fun and engaging activities such as CTF competitions and Social Engineering team challenges held quarterly and annually.
Personal and Power Skills: Development of essential workforce skills like public speaking and time management through interactive activities.
Community Service: Emphasis on global citizenship and leadership in service. Example activities include organizing cybersecurity awareness campaigns.
Financial Literacy: Guidance on preparing budgets and managing finances. Example activity: planning and executing fundraising campaigns.
Public Relations: Training in public relations, social media management, and graphic design. Example activity: designing promotional materials for chapter events.
Business and Industry Connections: Opportunities to network and form partnerships with local businesses. Example activities include industry meetups and career exploration field trips.
These topics and activities are designed to prepare students for success in the cybersecurity field while fostering leadership, collaboration, and a sense of community impact.
6. Competitions: Learn, Train, Win!
Capture the Flag (CTF):
Immersive cybersecurity challenges simulating real-world scenarios to uncover vulnerabilities and solve problems.
Students gain skills in network security, cryptography, web security, and reverse engineering while fostering critical thinking and teamwork.
Social Engineering Competitions:
Scenarios involving phishing, pretexting, and impersonation to understand and mitigate human vulnerabilities in cybersecurity.
Develop communication skills, ethical awareness, and decision-making.
Cybersecurity Robotics Competitions:
Integration of robotics and cybersecurity principles using Cyber:bot.
Students design, program, and defend robots against simulated cyber threats, building technical and collaborative skills.
Competition Levels:
School, Regional, State, and National levels.
7. Real-World Application and Career Readiness
Career Exploration and Job Readiness for Students:
Introduces foundational cybersecurity knowledge for exploring tech careers.
Develops job-ready skills, such as network security, threat response, and technical problem-solving.
Provides opportunities for certifications that align with industry needs.
Real-World Impact:
Opportunities to connect with industry professionals and explore the role of cybersecurity in daily life and professional environments.
8. How to Start a Chapter
Step-by-Step Guide:
Obtain administrative approval.
Designate a faculty advisor.
Complete the chapter registration form.
Recruit students to meet membership requirements.
Establish chapter structure and schedule regular meetings.
Resources for Getting Started:
Training materials, curriculum guides, and advisor onboarding support.
Access to the RCYC national team for questions and mentorship.
9. Professional Development for Teachers/Advisors
Training and Certification: Access to training sessions, resources, and possible certifications to grow professional skills.
Advisor Network: Opportunities to connect with other chapter advisors, share best practices, and receive mentorship.
10. Recognition and Awards
Opportunities for Students and Chapters:
Local, regional, and national recognition for chapters, students, or teams.
Example awards: CTE Advisor/Student of the Year, Best Team Collaboration, Chapter Achievements.
11. Long-Term Benefits and Success Stories
Pathways to Advanced Opportunities: Scholarships, internships, and career pathways in cybersecurity.
Impact and Success Stories: Program milestones, success stories, or impact statistics from other RCYC chapters.
12. Next Steps and Getting Started
CTA: Summary of steps to start a chapter with a link to the registration form.
Contact Information and Key Resources:
Contact details for the RCYC support team.
Links to additional resources and onboarding materials.
Follow-Up Session: Schedule a meeting or orientation for interested advisors.