Designing and Implementing a Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Education Program for Pre-University Students

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are ubiquitous in our modern world, from the cars we drive to the homes we live in. CPS are integrated systems that combine computational and physical components to perform complex tasks. As CPS become increasingly sophisticated and interconnected, it is important for students to have a basic understanding of how they work and how to use them safely and responsibly.In this work, the need for CPS education, the requirements from the teaching faculty and students, the course design methodology and its intent and a 20-hour lesson plan for CPS education is proposed along with a methodology to teach an introductory module on safety and security. CPS education in pre-university education should be comprehensive and hands-on, with an interdisciplinary approach, emphasis on safety and security, real-world applications, and integration of emerging technologies. This education will equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological world while being aware of the trust, safety and security aspects in designing and using the CPS interface. The proposed method was implemented in an undergraduate program as an elective course and its observations are presented.