Help your school achieve the I Belong certificate with the CyberFirst Girls competition
Are you looking for a way to increase girls' engagement in computing while helping your school achieve the I Belong certificate? The upcoming CyberFirst Girls Competition can help you and your department to do just that. Not only will your school be one step closer to achieving the I Belong certificate, but your students will also gain valuable skills and confidence in computing through participating in the challenges available to them.
What is the CyberFirst Girls Competition?
The CyberFirst Girls Competition is an exciting, team-based event designed to encourage young women to consider careers in cyber security. Open to girls in Year 8, it provides a fun, hands-on introduction to cyber-related challenges, from cryptography to artificial intelligence.
How participating can help your school earn the I Belong certificate
Increase girls' engagement
The I Belong whole-school certificate requires evidence of activities that increase girls' participation in computing. By entering teams in the CyberFirst Girls Competition, you'll actively boost engagement with the added excitement of competition in a supportive team, practical challenges, and teamwork, which can increase girls' self-efficacy and interest in computing.
Reflect on inclusive approaches
As a teacher, you'll be reflecting on the gender responsiveness of the competition and its impact on your students. After participating, assess how the event encouraged your students to get involved and develop new knowledge and skills, including the competition's collaborative environment, allowing girls to excel and build their self-efficacy and enjoyment for learning in computing. You can submit these reflections on the 'Submitting your evidence' page for the I Belong certificate.
Enrichment and recognition
Participation in this national competition is a great learning experience for your students and an enrichment activity that can be shared via your I Belong dashboard. By contributing, you'll help your school move closer to achieving its I Belong certificate, gaining formal recognition for your commitment to increasing equity in computing.
Key competition details
Here’s all you need to know ahead of signing up:
- Who can participate? Teams of up to four girls from Year 8 are eligible to enter. The best part? Your school can enter as many teams as you'd like, so no one misses out on this incredible experience!
- Who will oversee the team? A school-appointed team guardian will guide the girls throughout the competition. No prior cyber knowledge is needed - just enthusiasm and support!
- Key dates: The competition runs from 18 to 27 November 2024, and registration is open now! There’s no better time to get your students involved in this exciting challenge.
- What's at stake? Winning teams could win laptops and prize money for their school - an amazing opportunity to reward both students and the whole school community!
However, the competition is about more than just winning prizes. By participating, your students will not only build confidence and problem-solving skills but will also be inspired to pursue futures in tech - helping us take one step closer to creating the next generation of female tech leaders. Plus, this experience will count toward earning the prestigious I Belong certificate for your school.
Ready to get started?
Visit the CyberFirst Girls website and download the Teacher Information Pack to find all the details you need. Registrations are now open, so don’t miss out on this chance to empower your students and make a lasting impact!
Secondary enrichment
Have you seen our newly published enrichment page? Each activity is designed to enhance your students’ learning and experience in computing. Explore a range of activities, challenges, and opportunities that support broader career goals, deepen understanding, and encourage hands-on exploration of complex concepts in a fun and engaging way.
About the author:
Claire Garside is one of the Gender and Inclusion Specialists for the National Centre for Computing Education.