CyberFirst Trailblazers: Inspiring the Next Generation of Digital Defenders

The computing department was buzzing with activity on Thursday, 27th November, as Year 9 pupils stepped into the roles of digital investigators. As part of the CyberFirst Trailblazers event, pupils engaged in hands-on challenges designed to debunk the myth that Computer Science is "just coding" and showcase the breadth of technology careers.

Investigating the Digital World

The workshop pushed pupils to think critically through several high-stakes simulations:

• Digital Detective: Using digital forensics and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), pupils tracked down "Patient Zero" in a fictional outbreak. This task highlighted the critical importance of digital footprints and required immense RESILIENCE.
• The Ransomware Challenge: Pupils used Micro:bits to intercept radio transmissions during a simulated ransomware attack. They had to collaborate and crack the code to "unlock" the devices, demonstrating brilliant teamwork.
• Safety & Ethics: A mature discussion took place regarding online safety and the potential impact of social media bans, where pupils showed great RESPECT for one another’s perspectives.

The pupils truly demonstrated being their absolute BEST, approaching every challenge with curiosity and maturity throughout the day.

Mrs Rodgers, Head of Computer Science and IT, said:

"It's vital that our pupils see the practical, exciting applications of technology. The CyberFirst Trailblazers event has provided an incredible, hands-on insight into a fast-growing industry and hopefully inspired our next generation of digital defenders." 

Plans are already underway to host more workshops to help demonstrate the value of the CyberFirst program and the diverse opportunities available to our pupils in the tech industry.

#TeamRisedale 💙💜🧡❤️ #BEST

RESPONSIBILITY  RESPECT  RESILIENCE  RELATIONSHIPS