Cyber Skills, Ireland's leading experts in cyber security education, and SMART Edu Club, a start-up based in Cork, have come together to launch an exciting new free initiative aimed at educating young people between the ages of eight and twelve about internet safety and online behaviour.

Funded by Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) Discover Grant, the two-day Cyber Security Workshop will take place on Tuesday 1st and Thursday 3rd November during the mid-term break. During the workshop, young people and adults alike will be fully engaged in creating secret messages, solving riddles, investigating mysteries, and helping heroes save the day using data encryption, decryption and code breaking techniques. No previous knowledge or experience is required from participants to fully enjoy the experience.

SMART Edu Club is a start-up based in Cork that is on a mission to inspire and educate the next generation of problem-solvers. The founder of SMART Edu Club, Marinara Marcato, describes the opportunity for children who join the workshop.

“I am confident that our programme brings together relevant information in a very accessible, practical, and diverse way. We believe in igniting children’s curiosity, empowering them with knowledge and supporting them along the way to develop new skills. That is why we incorporate a diverse range of elements in our programmes including hands-on activities, engaging stories, group challenges and more”

This collaboration leverages the cyber security knowledge of the Cyber Skills’ course lecturers and the STEM education expertise of the SMART Edu Club team, while funding from Science Foundation Ireland means that cyber security courses can reach more age groups.

Professor Donna O’Shea, Chair of Cyber Security at MTU and Project Lead at Cyber Skills, said:

“Cyber Skills Education and Public Engagement (EPE) programme is committed to a range of activities that improves the cyber resilience of all our citizens. We are delighted to partner with SMART Edu Club in developing a programme of new activities focused on educating our youngest and most vulnerable citizens, our children, on the importance of good cyber hygiene practices.”

This free workshop, aimed at children between the ages of eight and twelve, will run on Tuesday 1^st and Thursday 3^rd November during the mid-term break, in either morning or afternoon sessions. All children participating are required to attend with an adult. For further information and to book your place, please see smarteduclub.com/courses/cyber-security.