This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) provides $646,713.00 to Sinclair Community College to implement a hands-on, cybersecurity learning game called Sticker Heist. The project aims to enhance training for cybersecurity technicians and recruit a diverse cybersecurity workforce to meet critical workforce demands.
Sinclair Community College will refine and test the Sticker Heist game, which challenges teams of high school and college students to work collaboratively to identify and exploit security vulnerabilities in a simulated system in order to retrieve collectible laptop stickers. The project will also provide professional development training to high school and college faculty to implement the tool in their classrooms, promote use of the game to attract underrepresented students into cybersecurity, and assess the tool's effectiveness at improving engagement and diversifying the cybersecurity pipeline. Moraine Valley Community College is a sub-awardee and will collaborate to create professional development opportunities, recruit faculty, promote cybersecurity pathways, and provide feedback.