Summer camp focuses on cyber security

A group of students was focused on cyber security today.

They were part of the Cybercore Summer Camp hosted by the Idaho National Laboratory, the College of Eastern Idaho, and the University of Idaho. Students at the camp say cyber security is becoming more and more important in today’s world.

“You can just help protect yourself more so you’re less vulnerable,” said Madeline Moody, a student at the camp.

“Protect the ones that you care about because it’s a scary world,” said Brenna Hiltbrand, another student at the camp.

The students were given their own small portable computers to use, called raspberry pies. They learned coding and programming and were able to create their own projects. Some created security cameras. One student even created a digital song, and Moody and Hiltbrand created a facial recognition system that acts as a photo booth, then gives you Shakespearan insults. One of the teachers said they wanted to give the students creative freedom to come up with their own unique project.

“That’s one of the goals of the summer camp, is to provide the structure, but not the regimented step by step you must do it this way,” said Michael Haney, an assistant professor of computer sciences at the University of Idaho. “It was much more about how can you use these tools the way you want and what would you build if you had your own choice.”

The facial recognition project won first prize. A security camera project won second.