A partnership between Lone Star College-University Park and Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) Delta Composite Squadron brought together area teenagers for a free Air Force Association (AFA) CyberCamp in July at the college’s Energy & Manufacturing Institute building.

“It’s exciting to see kids on campus learning about current, real world problems and how they can help to solve them,” said Steven Kahla, dean of instruction at LSC-University Park. During the camp, Kahla gave participants an overview of the college’s numerous programs in business, applied science, computing and engineering technologies.

Campers were given a complete curriculum from the AFA, which is a charitable organization that strives to educate the public regarding aerospace, technology and national security issues.  The AFA created the Cyber Patriot education and competition program, which has grown to be the nation’s largest youth cyber education program. The program features the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition for high school and middle school students.  

“As the community’s college, we seek partnerships with programs that empower learning at all ages,” said LSC-University Park President Dr. Shah Ardalan. “Cyber security is a field that will continue to grow. In joining with the CAP and the AFA, LSC-University Park is providing hands-on access for students to develop their passions for technology into future careers.

The AFA CyberCamp focused on technical cyber defense strategies for different operating systems as well as careers in the cyber defense industry. The week-long event culminated in a competition that allowed the participants to compete against campers across the nation in a mock cyber security competition. Additionally, participants were able to explore the LSC-University Park Innovation Room, which features a variety of immersive, interactive technologies designed to stimulate academic innovation.

“In recent years, cyber-attacks have become increasingly more prevalent throughout the world,” said Sherry McIntyre, executive director of technical services at Lone Star College. “As government agencies and our military ramp up cyber training and defense strategies, it is becoming more important than ever to educate teens about this growing career field.”

CAP’s local Delta Composite Squadron has formed several Cyber Patriot competition teams in recent years from its Cadet Program. The Cadet Program meets weekly at David Wayne Hooks Airport with a focus on STEM education, aerospace and leadership. The Program welcomes area youth ages 12-18, and currently has about 80 members. Cadets interested in competing on a Cyber Patriot team meet once per week for education and practice.

“Because of the partnership with LSC-University Park, we had a unique opportunity to present a free camp and open it up to teens outside the CAP Cadet Program,” said Lt. Christina Cross, who serves as a volunteer in CAP and as a professor of business for LSC-University Park.

Cross was instrumental in creating the partnership between the college and Civil Air Patrol. LSC-University Park not only provided the facilities and computers for the campers, but also helped ensure the camp was a success with presentations from professors and administration. Numerous CAP members volunteered their time to the camp as well.

“It’s exciting when we find new ways for CAP to partner with those in the community to educate area kids,” said Capt. Mike Painter, who oversees Delta Composite Squadron’s Cadet Program.  “I’m confident that this partnership exposed many area teens to exciting careers in cyber defense. CAP is committed to promoting the Cyber Patriot program and welcoming teens with an interest in cyber defense on our competition teams.”

Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force and has Cadet Programs throughout the United States. To learn more about CAP’s Cadet Program, visit GoCivilAirPatrol.com, or “Civil Air Patrol—Delta Composite Squadron” on Facebook.