Award Abstract # 2302187
RET Site: Research Experiences in Cybersecurity for Nevada Teachers (RECNT)

NSF Org: CNS
Division Of Computer and Network Systems
Recipient: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER ED
Initial Amendment Date: July 25, 2023
Latest Amendment Date: July 25, 2023
Award Number: 2302187
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Allyson Kennedy
aykenned@nsf.gov
 (703)292-8905
CNS
 Division Of Computer and Network Systems
CSE
 Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Start Date: October 1, 2023
End Date: September 30, 2026 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $599,344.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $599,344.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2023 = $599,344.00
History of Investigator:
  • Shamik Sengupta (Principal Investigator)
    ssengupta@unr.edu
  • Nancy LaTourrette (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Emily Hand (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Board of Regents, NSHE, obo University of Nevada, Reno
1664 N VIRGINIA ST # 285
RENO
NV  US  89557-0001
(775)784-4040
Sponsor Congressional District: 02
Primary Place of Performance: Board of Regents, NSHE, obo University of Nevada, Reno
1664 N VIRGINIA ST
RENO
NV  US  89557-0001
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
02
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): WLDGTNCFFJZ3
Parent UEI: WLDGTNCFFJZ3
NSF Program(s): RES EXP FOR TEACHERS(RET)-SITE
Primary Program Source: 01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s): 9150
Program Element Code(s): 135900
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.070

ABSTRACT

This RET Site renewal at the University of Nevada, Reno aims to explore unique ways to engage middle and high school teachers in summer research experiences that emphasize cybersecurity in modern systems. Cybersecurity research and its applications are highly relevant in all areas of society from cyber-physical infrastructures and defense-related applications to domestic sectors such as banking and health. This RET Site will continue to have a significant impact on the teachers who will be trained on such challenges and solutions and subsequently, the Nevada students, who as direct beneficiaries of this program will serve as the next-gen cybersecurity workforce. The participant teachers will spend six weeks participating in research experiences and developing modules and materials which will subsequently be implemented in their classrooms during the academic year. The project involves a partnership between the university, the school districts in the surrounding Nevada counties, and local industries. The project will further develop a community of teachers who are passionate about cybersecurity and who can translate this excitement to their students through engaging, high-quality hands-on learning experiences.

This RET Site is anchored by cybersecurity research that is compelling and engaging for teachers and 8-12 students, driven by a faculty team that has demonstrated expertise in both cybersecurity research and education. The project goals are to: recruit a cohort of middle and high school teachers interested in introducing cybersecurity and CSE topics into their courses; engage the recruited teachers in cybersecurity research areas in modern resilient systems; develop instructional modules that can be incorporated in a variety of STEM courses and programs; promote and disseminate the results to a large group of middle and high school teachers; and create a student pathway from Nevada schools to UNR to the cybersecurity workforce. The site features projects that are teacher accessible as well as connected to current research and practice. The projects will build the technical capacity of teachers, so that they are capable of developing and implementing new, exciting hands-on learning activities at their schools. Teachers will further develop and enhance their research, communication, and presentation skills, all of which are essential to their professional growth and success.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

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