This session demonstrates how to engage high school students in IT through hands-on learning experiences. Explore competency-based education, cybersecurity labs, networking carts, and the Reboot & Recycle initiative, empowering students to gain real-world skills and certifications while giving back to their communities.
High school IT education should go beyond textbooks and lectures. In this session, we’ll explore how to build engaging, hands-on learning experiences that help students master technical skills, prepare for certifications, and gain exposure to the world of cybersecurity, networking, and hardware.
Key takeaways include:
- Cybersecurity & IT Labs: Leveraging VM-based labs for portable, scalable learning that brings cybersecurity into the classroom without network risks.
- Networking Carts: How networking carts enable easy deployment of network labs across schools without requiring a server rack, making labs accessible in any classroom.
- Hackathons & Cyber Camps: Creating immersive events where students can practice real-world skills in a fun, competitive environment.
- Reboot & Recycle: How students refurbish and donate computers, learning hardware skills while making a tangible community impact.
By the end of the session, you'll have practical tools to create scalable IT programs that engage high school students and help them succeed in the tech workforce.
