First Cohort Graduates from Cybersecurity Pathway at North Park Collegiate

North Park Collegiate and Vocational School is celebrating an exciting milestone as the first cohort of students has completed a new Cybersecurity Pathway. Four students in Grades 9 and 11 completed six one-hour sessions focused on cryptography fundamentals (how data is encrypted and decrypted), and practical cybersecurity tools.

This new pathway was launched in the fall as part of Grand Erie's broader STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) initiatives through the Innovation Hub @ Grand Erie, giving students hands-on experience in future-ready careers. Along the way, students learned about limiting information sharing online, building mini computers using Raspberry PIs, basic terminal commands, setting up a two-way chat and using substitution ciphers for encrypting and decrypting messages. They also explored the differences between white hat and black hat hacking and researched ethical hacking as a potential career path.

"The WozEd Level 3 pathway addresses the growing demand for cybersecurity expertise," says Miriam LaPeare, STEAM Teacher Consultant at the Innovation Hub.

"Introducing learners to real-life tools, strategies and ethical considerations prepares them for a rapidly-evolving workforce and opens doors to emerging opportunities."

The first cohort of graduates marks a significant achievement for both students and STEAM as a whole in Grand Erie. The Innovation Hub @ Grand Erie, a collaborative space for technology-driven learning, celebrated its one-year anniversary alongside the program's completion.

Building on this year's success, the Cybersecurity Pathway will be offered at other secondary schools within the Grand Erie District School Board.

Learn more about secondary programs in Grand Erie.