K-12 Outreach
SECURE IT Academy
SECURE IT is a one-week, non-residential summer program where middle schoolers learn to think like cyber detectives while applying design thinking to protect the technology they interact with daily.
Students cover topics such as Linux, computer networking and adversarial thinking. Hosted by the Secure Software Supply Chain Center at the University of Maryland and North Carolina State University, the SECURE IT program invites students to return for fall workshops that meet monthly in the fall and spring semesters.
Typical Camp Day
- 9:00-12:00 pm Classroom Instruction
- 12:15-1:15 pm Lunch
- 1:30-3:30 pm Classroom Instruction
- 3:45-4:00 pm Dismissal
*Field trips and guest speakers are scheduled during Classroom Instruction time blocks.
Application Information for SECURE IT Summer Academy 2026 at NC State University
This summer the SECURE IT Academy at NC State University will be partnering with The Engineering Place, NC State’s K-20 education and resource headquarters for engineering outreach.
Applications for Summer 2026 will open January 2026 and can be found [HERE]((https://engr.ncsu.edu/theengineeringplace/summerprograms/middle-school/)
General Information:
- Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders (NC)
- July 20, 2025 - July 24, 2025
- Lunch is included in pricing
- Visit to the Google Durham Campus!
If your student has completed the SECURE IT Workshop series, there may be some over lap in content, but the SECURE IT Summer Academy allows students to dive deeper into topics and participate in a group project with their peers!
SECURE IT Cybersecurity Workshops
We are proud to present our SECURE IT Cybersecurity workshops series for middle schoolers at NC State. These private workshops are hosted in person for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Each student will attend twice a month during the school year.
Typical Workshop Day
- 9:00-10:45 am 1st Group Classroom Instruction
- 10:45-11:15 am Lunch
- 11:15-1:00 am 2nd Group Classroom Instruction
Program Curriculum
Cybersecurity Education
- K-12 Cybersecurity education curriculum instruction by current NC State faculty
- Guest Speakers by NC State professors and cybersecurity industry professionals
- Field trip to cybersecurity industry leaders where students are introduced to people, topics, and career opportunities while exploring the facility
Personal Growth
- Small group presentations with peers
- Sharpen cyber skills and interactions with day-to-day technology
- Social activities with peers
Hands-on Experience
- Small-group research projects led by current undergraduate or graduate students; projects are security focused
- Group presentations showcasing work at the end of the program