Students will explore US laws related to technology, intellectual property, their personal lives, and the ongoing debate between privacy versus security. The Culminating Activity for this unit has the students engage in a discussion on how the United States legal system is able to mediate the two opposing ideas.

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

This unit focuses on how the world of cyber affects our local and national politics. Students will discuss political activism and its various forms, be it social media or hacking. They will learn how the power of the internet can also be weaponized by various groups or even countries to sway political outcomes.  

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

The advent of the internet, especially social media, have led to the easy spread of extremist ideas and made recruitment into dangerous groups much easier. This unit explores how the US government combats the dangerous terrorism at home and abroad. Students will discuss the severity and consequences of counterterrorism measures used in response to acts of terror.

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

Students rarely consider the ethical ramifications of their words or actions in cyberspace. This unit has students confront the reality of how technology affects their relationships as well as their own personalities. They will discuss the issues of privacy and potential harms that come with the use, and especially overuse, of technology.

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

This unit dives into the how the world of cyber serves to bring our society together. Students explore this history of how our society has become so connected, as well as how these interesting opportunities and connections allow individuals to become citizen scientists. As much as the world of cyber has brought our communities together, students will also learn how easy it is to become isolated in this increasingly connected world.  

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

This unit explores the various ways that businesses regularly collect and utilize the data they collect on individuals. Students will discuss how much of their information is used daily by businesses. With that in mind, the conversation must turn to securing that data from the inevitable threats that come with holding any sort of personal data.

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

Artificial Intelligence is a concept that has long been debated and discussed. Students will explore what makes up an AI, the various applications of AI, and finally the ethical implications of creating and utilizing an AI. Students will discuss the need for and reliance on AI in their lives as well as its implementations in the military.

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

Students will demonstrate skills in validating media sources, analyze how social media presents news, assess the impacts of media literacy on democracy, and analyze the spread of fake news in current media.

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

Students take on the role of DHS agents as they investigate realistic scenarios related to cybersecurity with potential national ramifications. The agents will need to analyze briefings filled with documents related to the event and sift through to find what is pertinent to the questions of who did it, how they did it, and why they did it. The students will have to think critically about the information they read, work cooperatively as a team to accurately find a solution, and effectively communicate their findings to their supervisor(s) while also giving a suggested next step for the DHS to take.

Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12

Data explores the instantaneous nature of sharing information digitally, analyzing the authenticity of data, the value of personal data for businesses like social media, and the cybersecurity considerations from data through crowdsourcing. 

Grade Levels: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12