NNPS launches CyberSTEAM Program


Posted: September 12, 2019

Newport News Public Schools launched a CyberSTEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) program at seven schools this year thanks to a grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity.

The CyberSTEAM program began in September at Denbigh Early Childhood Center, B.C. Charles Elementary, General Stanford Elementary, Kiln Creek Elementary, Nelson Elementary, Dozier Middle and Passage Middle School. The program exposes students to coding, robotics and a game-based cybersecurity curriculum.

CyberSTEAM is designed to activate computational thinking and problem-solving skills. Students make connections between the language of computer science and fun STEAM activities in several computer science strands: algorithms and programming, computing systems, cybersecurity, data and analysis, impacts of computing, and networks and the Internet.

CyberSTEAM is a method of teaching that is embedded into existing courses. Students gain access to new technologies, an afterschool club and online curriculum resources during the school year.

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing career fields. CyberSTEAM is designed to develop students problem-solving, computational thinking and digital literacy.