FHS team registers for CyberPatriot IV
Arlington, VA – A team of students from Fredericktown High School in Fredericktown, Missouri, has now registered for CyberPatriot IV, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing high school cyber defense challenge! More than 600 teams have already registered nationwide for this ultimate cyber game!
CyberPatriot is the one-of-a-kind national cyber security competition produced by the Air Force Association (AFA), a nonprofit organization headquartered near Washington, D.C. This unique competition is designed to excite, educate and motivate the next generation of cyber defenders and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates the nation needs.
Cyber security is one of the top national security concerns as today’s society relies heavily on computers and networks for many aspects of life, including banking, commerce, transportation, communications, defense and more. CyberPatriot teaches students how to protect these systems while providing them hands-on learning about technology, emphasizing teamwork and leadership, and exercising critical-thinking skills.
Led by Michel Stearley, this team of Army Junior ROTC cadets from Fredericktown High School must undergo online preliminary rounds in the coming months to compete and ultimately win the championship trophy, scholarship money and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, for the national championship competition, held in March 2012.
“Because of our unique online competition format, teams from all over the country can compete at one time, creating an exciting and competitive environment,” said Bernie Skoch, CyberPatriot Commissioner. “And it’s really a great learning opportunity for the students as they get to control computer networks, learning to defend and protect computer systems from cyber threats. This program gives its participants technical skills that are very relevant for their future while we live in a society that relies so heavily on cyber systems.”
CyberPatriot III, with Northrop Grumman as the presenting sponsor, had more than 660 teams vying for a chance to compete among the top qualifying teams. Forty-eight states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Japan, Korea and Guam were represented in the two-track competition.
Registration for CyberPatriot IV will remain open until October 8, 2011. Public, private, parochial and home schools register in the Open Division, while Junior ROTC units of all Services and Civil Air Patrol squadrons register in the All Service Division. More information can be found at www.usCyberPatriot.org.
