Can you rob a bank?
CyberSkills Live have developed a fantastic resource intended to teach learners about ethical hacking. Hacking is a buzz word in the technology space, and they are the demons we fear in the dark. This activity will put students into the shoes of the cybercriminal and show them how to conduct ethical hacking. They will learn the important skills of: Remotely accessing, gaining log in details and moving funds. Through this activity, students will develop key skills such as: Here’s what the activity involves: This is an incredibly fun and interactive activity for your students, but be warned, you might find yourself “hacked” by one of them! Follow the link to try it out!
The Edit – A digital storytelling challenge
In today’s media-rich world, young people have unprecedented opportunities to make their voices heard. With the right guidance, they can harness this potential to share meaningful stories and perspectives. That’s where The Edit comes in, a fantastic partnership between Sky News and Adobe that empowers students aged 8-18 to create their own 90-second news reports. The Creative and Media industries are some of the most vibrant sectors in the UK, full of career opportunities for the next generation. If you have students interested in media, journalism, or digital storytelling, The Edit is a brilliant stepping stone. It’s a programme that’s easy to integrate into lesson time or enrichment clubs, and can be completed in as little as three hours. Through The Edit, students will engage with topics that matter—like Climate Change, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and Wellbeing. You’ll receive a full classroom toolkit that guides both you and your students from planning to scripting, filming, and editing a report. Resources include student tutorials, PowerPoint slides, topic factsheets, and a report planner, all designed to make the process easy and engaging. Signing up for The Edit is a no-brainer if you’re looking to inspire your students, build their digital storytelling skills, and help them find their voices on issues that resonate. Don’t miss this chance—follow the link to sign up today!
Safer Internet Day 2025
Mark your calendars! The BBC’s new flagship Safer Internet Day goes live on Tuesday, 11th February 2025. The interactive lesson is aimed at primary schools and primary students. It will address key online safety concerns and encourage young people to discuss and respond to online issues. As students grow up in an increasingly technology-driven world, where more of their time is spent online, it’s vital they understand how to handle any issues they may encounter. Safer Internet Day is co-ordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre in partnership with Childnet. While it is a couple of months until the lesson goes live have a think about any questions you would like to be answered. To get involved email your requests to live.lessons@bbc.co.uk with Safer Internet Day as the subject, or get in touch using #BBCLiveLessons. The link is below
Teach Students Cyber Security Skills
Whether you’re an IT teacher aiming to improve students’ understanding of cybersecurity, a History teacher with a passion for technology, or a Primary teacher keen to broaden your students’ horizons, this is essential reading for you! In this engaging activity from the brilliant Cyber Skills Live, students learn cybersecurity techniques through the real-life example of defending Stirling Castle. The activity covers vital concepts such as data servers, physical security, incident response, and what made Stirling Castle so formidable. You can complete this activity as a class, or students can work independently or in pairs. It’s a flexible and hands-on way for them to develop cybersecurity skills. In a world where personal data is increasingly online, understanding how to protect themselves from cyber threats is crucial for students. This activity equips them with the essential tools to navigate the digital world safely. As students grow up in an era defined by constant connectivity, learning how to safeguard their digital identity and prevent data breaches is more important than ever. Furthermore, as technology continues to evolve, future career opportunities in cybersecurity will expand, making it a highly valuable skill for employability across a wide range of industries. Click on the link below to try it out!
Elan the first British programming language for schools since BBC Basic
It’s been a long time since BBC Basic was introduced in 1981 and it left a lasting legacy on the British tech industry, with countless programmers taking their first steps into coding through this platform. Its impact on the development of technology in the UK is undeniable, and now Elan, a new British programming language designed specifically for schools, aims to inspire the next generation in the same way. ELAN is committed to carrying forward the spirit of BBC Basic, offering accessible tools to engage young learners and foster future British tech talent. By staying free of charge, open source, and focused on the needs of schools, ELAN promises to be a valuable and exciting resource for teachers across the UK. There is a great article in Issue 25 September 2024 of the Hello World newsletter covers this in more depth. The article can be found on page 62. If you are not a member, you should sign up with the below link: If you are a member: 3 key points from the article:
Help Defend the Rhino!
Cyber Skills Live offers an engaging resource that combines technology and wildlife conservation, ideal for UK classrooms. Based on a real-life conservation effort in South Africa, this activity takes students on a journey where they collect data from Kruger National Park, analyse patterns and identify any suspicious activities to help protect endangered wildlife. Students will develop essential skills in data science, machine learning, and the Internet of Things, all while contributing to a case study on conservation. This hands on learning activity makes complex concepts like data analysis both relevant and exciting, especially for students passionate about technology and the environment. This resource is suitable for students of all abilities and can be delivered either as a classroom activity for younger students or an individual activity for older students. This makes it a great way to cover IT and conservation within the curriculum. Having tried it out I can say that it not only builds knowledge but also provides you an insight on the future of conservation.