High School
Table
Hosting a booth at a career fair can be an effective way to engage students (and parents) to learn more about careers in cybersecurity, but only if you can persuade them to visit your table. Creative displays that are innovative yet substantial will entice attendees to stop. Encourage them to spend more than a minute at your booth -- and perhaps learn more about your program or company-- with a well-planned booth display.
Confirm the Audience
Confirm with the event sponsors the audience logistics. What is the audience age group? How many students will be attending? Will students rotate through informally or formally? Will students be accompanied by parents? The answer to these questions will determine the format and materials you need for your display.
Inquire about the following:
- What is the general age range that will be attending?
- About how many students can I except?
- Is the event during school time or after school?
- Are students allowed to explore on their own or are they escorted as a group by teacher?
Confirm the Display Logistics
Ask the event sponsors for the display size and specifics. K-12 events typically come in two flavors; classrooms organized by theme or entire event held in the cafeteria or media center. If themes, you will be assigned a room with several other organizations based on topic (medical, financial, technology). Cyber security typically falls under the technology theme. Six foot fold out tables are the norm for the displays. Table clothes are usually NOT provided. Typically small pull up banners are allowed but not large display cases. Electrical outlets may be hard to find. Ask that your table be placed near an outlet if you need and bring long extension cords. Internet access is usually NOT provided; if you need access make arrangements for an access point of your own.
Display poster or name recognition is usually not provided; make sure you bring a table cloth with name display or some other means to display who you are. Don’t assume you can tape signs up on wall. This is typically not allowed.
Inquire about the following:
- Are table clothes provided?
- Can we use display or pull up banners?
- Are electric outlets available?
- Is Internet access provided?
Offer Icebreakers
Students may feel shy and reluctant to approach your table, so display some fun items to act as conversation starters. Along with brochures and other handouts regarding your organization or institution, consider passing out candy (no nuts or peanuts) or party favors. Better yet, offer gifts that are entertaining or useful and also include information about the group you are representing.
For example, wrap water bottles with custom labels printed with your organization information or give out promotional gifts with your logo. Find give-aways that connect with Cyber security. Below are a few possibilities.
Make It Exciting
The table display needs to be exciting to look at. A three way display board can draw attention. Use display holders to organize brochures and other paperwork. Easels with posters or posters with T-shirts can also attract attention. You should also include hands-on interactive activities (see next section).
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Description: Picture of display board |
Description: Picture of different display organizers |
Description: Estas a Salvo? |
Description: Cool Careers T-Shirt/Poster |
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Description: T-Shirt |
Description: T-Shirt |
Description: Laptop display |
Description: Which letter next? |
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Description: What do these things have in common? |
Description: Pigpen poster |
Description: Flag poster. Also great to have flags for students to try out messaging. |
Description: Human Error Poster |
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Description: 3D posters |
Description: Mugged Poster |
Description: Password Change Poster |
Description: Password Lying About Poster |
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Description: Password Sharing Poster |
Description: Zombie Poster |
Description: 3D posters |
Description: 3D posters |
Handouts
Include handouts that discuss the topic and marketing material for your organization. Below are a few crowd favorites.
Elem-high |
Elem-high |
Elem-high |
Thumbnail of wheel |
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Description: Explores Cyber Security Careers, using the NICE framework |
Description: Tips on the values of security clearances. |
Description: Visual display of career options |
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Description: Degree and certification pathways |
Description: Career options and brief descriptions |
Description: Cyber security and protection |
Want to order a career wheel?
Want to order posters?
Want to order t-shirts?
Want to order puzzles? |
Coming Soon |
Make It Interactive
A hands-on display that students and parents can explore on their own will pique their curiosity. Or you can include a game or task that needs to be solved; perhaps leading to a give-away prize. Make sure you can explain how each relates to broad field of cyber security and to the group or organization you are representing.
Here are a few of the crowd pleasers
Physical Security: Lock Picking |
Cryptography: Shift Cipher |
Programming: Robot |
Physical Security: Find the Flash Drives |
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Description: Physical security is one of the important layers needed to protect all assets. Pick locks with coke cans. |
Description: Code systems and the art of cryptanalysis can be fun!
Encode/ decode messages using simple shift ciphers. |
Description: Program a rescue robot to search for survivors |
Description: Physical security is one of the important layers needed to protect all assets. Find the different flash drives. |
Handout: Directions
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Handout: Shifter
Handout: Directions
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Handout
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Handout: Directions |
Video |
Video |
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Video |
Computer Science/Engineering: Alternative Input Devices |
Cyber Security: Career Cube |
Computer Science: Computer Parts |
Computer Science: Parts of the Computer
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Description: Connection with computer science and engineering all while having fun. Play a game using bananas, marshmallows or other household items as the controller. |
Description: Career Cube Cut Out |
Description: Using a disassembled computer and computer part flash cards, students figure out what computer part is missing. |
Description: Students put the puzzle parts together with the magnetic board. |
Handout: Directions |
Handout
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Handout: Card Parts to Laminate
Handout: Directions |
Handout
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