Grades 6-8

These lesson plans focus on the devices/components (hardware) and programs (software) that are commonly used in order that students can perform basic troubleshooting as well as understand why patches and updates should be installed.

“Man in the Middle” Attacks
Understanding Computer Parts and their Tasks
Cell Phone Safety - What’s Inside My Device?
Malware!
An Introduction to Malware
Painting with a Sphero!

These lesson plans teach networking basics so that students can understand what happens to data as it moves across the network and therefore, can be safer digital citizens.

“Man in the Middle” Attacks
Networking 101
An Introduction to Networking
Net Neutrality - Who Controls the Internet?
Networking - An Unplugged Activity for Beginners

These lessons focus on the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability), the first principles, and other key aspects of cybersecurity including cryptography.

FIRST Principles of Cybersecurity
Basic Cybersecurity Vocabulary and Concepts
Understanding Cybersecurity Terms
Espionage and Survival
Understanding How TLS Works
Cryptocurrency - Fad or Future?
An Introduction to Public Key Cryptography
Cryptography Online
Understanding Blockchain
Availability - Attacks, DDoS, and Bots
Early Cryptography - The Caesar and Substitution Ciphers
Cybersecurity Breakout Game
An Unplugged Lesson on Messages During War
Cybersecurity - Why It Matters (A Discussion Regarding Online Safety)
The Immutable Laws of Cybersecurity

These lessons cover the differences between ethics and laws as well as general guidelines to computing ethics. Other lessons include discussions on ethics not developed yet; such as in the case of the IoT.

Cyberbullying - A Real Discussion
Net Neutrality - Who Controls the Internet?
Ethics
Cryptocurrency - Fad or Future?
The “Smart” Home
The IoT - How to Protect Oneself from Devices
An Unplugged Lesson on Messages During War
The Price of Shame - Cyberbullying and Humiliation

These lessons cover basic online safety activities as well as digital citizenship.

Cell Phone Safety - Is This Thing Killing Us?
Cell Phone Safety - What’s Inside My Device?
Cell Phone Safety Presentation
Cell Phone Safety Tips
Cyberbullying - A Real Discussion
Wi-Fi - How Safe is that “Free” Public Wi-Fi?
The Importance of Passwords
Cybersecurity Breakout Game
Cybersecurity - Why It Matters (A Discussion Regarding Online Safety)
Password Hygiene
What Happens to my Online Information?
If Only ______ Had a Cell Phone

Often cited as the number one threat to users, social engineering is the ability to coheres someone into giving up confidential information. These lessons make students aware of common social engineering tactics including phishing.

Social Engineering - A Discussion on Awareness
Understanding Social Engineering
Reading about a Young Social Engineer

These lessons attempt to introduce students to the potential careers in cybersecurity and other technology fields.

Jobs in Tech
Understanding Technologies Impact on Careers
A Lesson in Human Capital and Career Awareness