Empowering K-12 STEM Educators: Enhancing Cybersecurity Awareness Through Professional Development

Given the increasing significance of promoting cybersecurity awareness within K-12 educational settings, it becomes imperative to provide teachers with appropriate professional development. This paper reports on a current workshop that aimed to assess the viability of cybersecurity online modules developed by researchers and to deliver cybersecurity training to high school STEM educators. The workshop sought to evaluate the level of cybersecurity awareness among teachers and enhance their comprehension of its importance. This evaluation was conducted through scales devised by researchers, aligned with standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Computer Science Teachers Association. The training also aimed to fortify teachers’ grasp of cybersecurity content, encompassing relevant standards, analysis of cyber threats, establishment of secure online environments, and other pivotal cybersecurity concepts. Acknowledging the comprehensive nature and adaptability of cybersecurity education, the workshop endeavored to distill essential ideas and recommended practices tailored for K-12 teachers. In this document, we outline the workshop’s structure, in addition to presenting the initial survey and assessment outcomes. The findings demonstrate an enhancement in teachers’ awareness of cybersecurity and affirm the social significance of their learning experiences, thereby equipping them for the forthcoming academic year.