The Resource Library

CyberFirst Girls Competition Resources

The CyberFirst Girls Competition is the NCSC’s flagship cyber security contest for schools, which opens annually to girls across the UK, aimed at introducing 12/13-year-old girls to the world of cyber security and inspiring them to consider careers in this industry. Here you will be able to access content and challenges from previous competitions.

Knowledge Nuggets - CyberFirst, NCSC

These knowledge nuggets were created for NCSC's Empower Cyber Week. Each knowledge nugget covers a different cyber topic and has an associated video and activity. The content is aimed at 12-13 year olds but is suitable for students in KS3 or higher.

CyberSprinters - CyberFirst, NCSC

CyberSprinters is a free interactive game, developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ, aimed at 7 to 11-year-olds. In addition to the game, there is a pack of educational resources which illustrate what good cyber security practice looks like, from creating strong passwords to being vigilant about receiving messages from unknown senders.

Creating Secure Passwords - Newent Community School

This teaches pupils how to make a secure password. The lesson can be used at the start of the new academic year to teach pupils the importance of secure passwords and how they can create their own. It references a website as a fun way to test the strength of their password, you may find a different method if you prefer. Reminder: Once a password has been "shared" it is no longer secure!

Developing Apps with AppShed - Cleeve School

Here is a scheme of work to use AppShed in class to develop smartphone apps. AppShed generates apps for iPhone and Android devices, and supports tablets as well as phones. The system uses an on-screen emulator, but learners can publish and share their app at any time. This contains a set of PowerPoints, High and Medium level assessments, a medium-term plan and sample resources. All you need!

Note: this project should not require any sort of paid-up subscription to AppShed. It is worth testing access to the site from school in advance.

Everyone Can Code - Apple

The Everyone Can Code curriculum from Apple will guide you through Swift Playgrounds, an app that teaches coding for kids through a world of interactive puzzles and playful characters. It’s great for students aged eight and over, and will help you introduce coding in the same language used by professional app developers.

Watch your code spring to life by programming real robots and drones. Third-party developers of popular robots and devices offer subscriptions filled with engaging playgrounds that let you configure and control popular educational toys like LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3. And that’s just the beginning.

GCSE Cyber Security Resources - STEM Learning

These resources look at how encryption techniques work, how to avoid data corruption, new and upcoming methods for identifying the user to the computer, and more generic issues around ways to keep computer access secure. This topic also covers the legal issues around computer use.

Cyber Games - National Crime Agency

Are your students ready to defend CyberLand from imminent attack? Break codes at Bletchley Park? Run a simulated demonstration of malware?

The National Crime Agency (NCA) partnered with Cyber Security Challenge UK to create more than 15 different interactive resources and games to introduce the different aspects of Cyber Security. Forming part of the NCA’s Cyber Choices programme, the games are suitable for all abilities and provides immersive insight into what it’s like to work in the cyber security industry.

Cyber Skills Live - Digital Skills Education

Cyber Skills Live is a series of interactive cyber security and tech skills activities that let young people experience what it could be like to work in a variety of technology roles. This project is supported by Skills Development Scotland.

There are over 20 activities available, each lasting around 30 minutes. No accounts or registration is required and everything can be done within a web browser.

Cyber Skills Live also run online live streams with hundreds of pupils completing the activities at the same time with subject experts on hand. Private live streams can be booked by schools or groups.

Learning Hub - BAE Systems

BAE Systems have lots of resources available to excite and inspire young people through Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
Engineering Fairy Tales are a range of STEM stories and challenges to help children understand about the world of engineering and develop their teamwork and creative problem-solving skills. These stories were developed by the education experts at STEMFirst, and are read by STEM Ambassadors from BAE Systems, the Royal Navy, British Army and RAF.

STEM from Home - CGI

Recognising the difficulties that parents face when balancing remote working and childcare during the pandemic, CGI created weekly STEM based activity packs that can be done at home.

The activities are aimed at students aged 6-14, but everyone can get involved! Activities encompass all aspects of STEM, including coding, environmental sustainability and robotics. There will be a range of activities each week, involving activities with technical, practical and physical elements.

STEM Activities - Babcock International

Babcock International have developed some fun activities which will test STEM skills. Use the duration and age range filters to find suitable activities for students from KS1 to KS4.

BT

BT and Computing at School worked together to deliver the Barefoot program - aimed at empowering primary school teachers across the UK to deliver the computing curriculum brilliantly with free workshops, helpful online guides and engaging lessons. Barefoot is on the side of teachers; helping them inspire pupils to think, learn and thrive in a digital world.

BT also have their own resource activity catalogue to help everyone stay safe online.

BBC Bitesize

Great resources for KS1-KS4 students learning computer science.

CyberFirst Girls Competition Highlights

CyberBasics - From CyberFirst

CyberBasics is a pilot product to introduce students to cyber security. It is 6 missions that follow the narrative of the students helping an alien visitor to our planet set up a new mobile phone, as well as remain undetected here.

Patient Zero from CyberFirst

Digital Detective – Use digital forensics to identify the first person who has contracted a disease and learn how open source intelligence can lead to finding out more information about this person.

Sports Science from CyberFirst