Cybersecurity Resources for Every Grade Level

ByCSTA Washington Staff
FUTURE II Cybersecurity Resources

At the Cybersecurity session at the FUTURE II Conference at Bellevue College on June 13, 2026, Professor Evan Drake, Senior Associate Professor and Department Chair of Cybersecurity at Bellevue College, highlighted (but did not endorse) several resources that are available for free* to educators at each grade level. These are restated below:

Elementary School (K-5)

  • Be Internet Awesome (Google Interland): An interactive, gamified platform that teaches kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and online safety through playful challenges.
  • CyberPatriot Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative (ESCEI): Offers engaging, animated presentation modules and activity books designed to introduce younger students to basic upper-level safety and security concepts.
  • NetSmartz (NCMEC): Provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, this resource uses age-appropriate videos, games, and puppetry to teach personal safety online.
  • Cyber.org: Provides foundational, easy-to-integrate K-5 STEM and cybersecurity lessons that introduce students to technology basics and healthy digital habits.

Middle School (6-8)

  • NOVA Cybersecurity Lab (Interactive Game): A collaborative digital game where students design defenses for a mock tech company while learning about coding, passwords, and social engineering.
  • CybHER: Focused on empowering girls in STEM, this initiative provides hands-on resources and mentoring materials to spark early interest in information security careers.
  • NetSmartz (NCMEC): Features middle-school-focused interactive scenarios and comic-style videos that tackle tougher topics like digital footprints and cyberbullying.
  • CLARK4Kids (CLARK Center): A curated repository of free, peer-reviewed cybersecurity learning objects and quick activities tailored specifically for younger digital learners.

High School (9-12)

  • CyberPatriot Competitions: The premier national youth cyber defense competition that puts high school students in the shoes of IT professionals managing corporate networks.
  • PISCES High School Cybersecurity Curriculum: A structured curriculum that provides students with real-world context by introducing them to actual network traffic analysis and community-scale defense.
  • NetSmartz (NCMEC): Offers deep-dive resources, discussion guides, and real-life teen stories focusing on identity theft, privacy, and safe online communication.
  • Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (VILS) Program: Provides comprehensive digital literacy and technology immersion resources, including problem-based cybersecurity challenges for high school classrooms.

Key Takeaways from Professor Drake

Professor Drake also emphasized the following points at the end of his session on cybersecurity:

  • A Crucial Life Skill: Cybersecurity is not just a tech topic—it is a life skill for every single student.
  • No Technical Background Required: You do not need to be a computer scientist to teach online safety; turnkey curriculum options are built to support you.
  • Start Small: Don’t let an entire unit overwhelm you; even 10-minute activities build critical student awareness.
  • Accessible to All: Free, high-quality, and age-appropriate resources exist for every grade level.

*Note: Always check individual resource licensing, as some tools require educator registration or account creation to unlock full access.

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