NICE is a state-funded initiative that promotes and supports equitable cybersecurity education in Oregon’s high schools and postsecondary institutions.
Our work includes a range of engaging activities:
We invite high school teachers and students across Oregon to participate in NICE project activities. Please explore the opportunities listed below and submit the corresponding interest form to get involved.
Training the Trainer
TA key component of the NICE Project is providing training workshops for high school teachers to bring cybersecurity education into their classrooms. Teachers adopting the Teachers–Learners–Observers (TLO) model, these workshops prepare educators to teach cybersecurity courses ranging from short modules to year-long classes. Participating teachers receive a stipend and enjoy the following benefits upon completion of the workshop.
- Curriculum mastery: Teach our adapted CAE RING course with confidence, using experiential learning techniques.
- Expert guidance: Build skills through interactive sessions led by cybersecurity professionals.
- Classroom tools: Access ready-to-use materials for hands-on, student-centered lessons.
- Educator network: Connect with peers and experts across the state to share strategies and ideas.
- Professional recognition: Earn a certificate of participation with 40 hours of Professional development Unit (PDU) credit from UO.
The training focuses on the NSA-approved RING cybersecurity curriculum, which introduces high school students to essential topics such as digital safety, ethical hacking, and risk management, aligning with national standards and real-world applications. The University of Oregon is exploring dual-credit opportunities for students completing the RING high school course across the state.
Our first in-person workshop took place July 14–18, 2025, at the University of Oregon, with 11 teachers in attendance and was a great success.
"This workshop was absolutely critical to helping me ramp up my cybersecurity skill set such that I feel confident in offering the class for the first time at my high school."
— Andrew Cronk, Southridge High School
"Great opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the content and gain confidence in teaching this in the near future."
— Judson Birkel, South Salem High School
"The training was a great chance to go deeper into some of the cyber security topics that I've taught at a very surface level with experienced professors."
— Dustin DeGeorge, TEACH-NW
"I learned so much about Cybersecurity in one week! It opened my eyes to the breadth that Cybersecurity encompasses and makes we want to learn more.”
— Becci Buenau, Junction City High School
Interested in Joining a Workshop? We plan to offer two additional teacher training workshops—one in person and one virtual—during the 2025–2026 academic year. If you’d like to participate, please complete this form to request a spot.
Why the RING Curriculum? The RING curriculum is the foundation of this project because it:
- Engages beginners: Designed for grades 9–12, it introduces students with no prior experience to key cybersecurity concepts.
- Promotes equity and access: Supports rural and under-resourced schools, fostering inclusivity and diverse participation.
- Provides rich content: Offers 180 hours of instructional material, complete with lesson plans, labs, and activities.
- Empowers all teachers: Can be effectively taught by educators without a computer science background.
In-School Field Trips
As part of the NICE Project, we bring cybersecurity directly to Oregon high schools through engaging in-school field trips—available in both in-person and virtual formats.
These sessions introduce students to the exciting world of cybersecurity through interactive, hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and build awareness. Each field trip may include guest speakers from the cybersecurity industry who share real-world insights, career paths, and stories from the field.Students learn how cybersecurity careers can align with their skills, interests, and values, while also exploring the growing demand and strong job opportunities in this rapidly expanding field. In addition, we provide information about cybersecurity degree programs across Oregon, including guidance on admissions and financial aid resources.
The in-school format makes these experiences accessible to all high schools, while the virtual option ensures we can reach students in every corner of the state—including those without a computer science teacher or existing cybersecurity courses.
Interested in hosting an in-school field trip? Please complete this form to schedule a session for your school.
Customized Campus Tours
The NICE Project offers customized campus tours at the UO for high school students—especially those from underrepresented, minority, and low-income backgrounds—to help foster a sense of belonging and connection to higher education.
In addition to a general campus tour, students:
- Learn about the cybersecurity program and explore related facilities, including the Teaching Security Operations Center (TSOC) and the Cybersecurity Lab.
- Meet with members of the Cybersecurity Club, student affinity groups, and the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence.
- Receive information about the admissions process, financial aid, and college preparation resources.
These tours provide an inspiring, hands-on introduction to university life and help students see themselves as future cybersecurity professionals.
Interested in arranging a campus tour? High school representatives can complete this form to request a customized visit.
Cybersecurity Competitions
The NICE project is teaming up with Oregon Cybersecurity Resilience Summit organizers to expand OCRS cybersecurity challenge cup and make it available to more high school students across the state of Oregon.
Sponsors
