(TNS) — The Great Bend School Board on Monday approved the addition of a new cybersecurity course at Great Bend High School this fall.
GBHS assistant principal Kip Wilson said the course is starting small with six students, but hopes to double that number in a year. We provide this for juniors and seniors.
Students enroll in courses as electives and study independently through asynchronous modules. Classroom teacher Hugo Gonzalez will receive training to assist students taking online courses. Once completed, she will be able to obtain the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. Superintendent Chris Sexton said this is a positive because students at Great Bend High School must have two “post-secondary assets” to graduate. Wilson said students also have a chance to win a Google scholarship by fulfilling the state's requirement to take a course in computer science.
This course was created by Enterprise KC, a nonprofit grant-making organization whose goal is to develop a cybersecurity workforce to meet the needs of the labor market. The Kansas Department of Commerce awarded her a $10 million grant, so this course will be offered free to students.
Ryan Axman, USD 428's technology director, has been scrutinizing the software to make sure there are no issues with the district's systems. Wilson said Barton Community College is also in talks with Enterprise KC. Courses may be offered at the university, which could lead to the possibility of dual credit courses for GBHS students.
Enterprise KC may also offer jobs to those who complete the course, Wilson said.
The first semester focuses on building cybersecurity fundamentals and skills. The second semester will include a simulation component, guest speakers, and field trips (possibly virtual trips) at the Heartland Cyber Range. “The curriculum is being built as we speak,” he said.
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