Sign up for the conference to attend the workshop. Two sessions available: 10am-12pm, or 1pm-3pm. Speaker: Andy Lindsay, Parallax Applications Engineer & Curriculum Developer
This hands-on workshop with the popular BBC micro:bit and free curriculum from Parallax demonstrates cybersecurity concepts in a fun and engaging way. No matter what fields your students pursue, they will likely encounter electronic devices that communicate through the internet or with other networked devices. This could be shop or lab equipment, consumer products, environmental sensors, habitat control, or even art installations. As all are potential cyberattack targets, cybersecurity should be treated as an essential component of technology literacy.
In this workshop, the micro:bit module serves as a stand-in for any such device. You will use the micro:bit module’s built-in Bluetooth radios to exchange initially unencrypted data, and experience firsthand how some sample micro:bit and robotic applications can be affected by cyberattacks. You will then modify application scripts to incorporate encryption and harden the network and its applications against attacks. This safe microcosm of cybersecurity for the Internet of things has potential for wider adoption since the micro:bit minimizes IT setup hurdles. No software driver installations are needed, and micro:bit radio networks exist separately from any school networks. Developed in partnership with cyber.org, this curriculum and the cyber:bot robot build transferable skills and cybersecurity awareness into any STEM or STEAM program.
Bring your laptop or Chromebook with a USB A port, and bring its power supply, too. Parallax will supply the micro:bit modules and cyber:bot robots. Examples at learn.parallax.com/cyberstudents and learn.parallax.com/cyberteachers.
