Children of the CornCon, a kids’ cybersecurity camp, taught kids coding, AI and ethical hacking during the 11th annual CornCon Cybersecurity Conference.
DAVENPORT, Iowa — Dozens of kids packed the Davenport RiverCenter on Saturday for the 11th annual CornCon Cybersecurity Conference’s youth program, Children of the CornCon.
The camp introduced kids to the world of ethical hacking, coding, engineering and artificial intelligence through hands-on activities designed to build real-world skills.
“It’s so important to get the next generation to understand cybersecurity,” said CornCon founder John Johnson. “They probably understand the technology of apps and phones and things better than their parents.”
Johnson said the goal of the camp goes beyond just fun and games, though there was plenty of both.
“It’s very important to distill ethical hacking and the ethical use of AI,” Johnson said. “Understanding what AI is, getting past the hype, and teaching kids cognitive skills.”
Nine-year-old Ryker Marcen was one of many young participants getting hands-on experience.
“I was working on breaking down and making a computer,” he said. He said the activity was familiar because he’s built a computer before with his dad.
Ryker’s mom, Ashley Van Deusen, said she sees the camp as a valuable experience for both kids and parents.
“We’ve learned about how to code, we’ve learned Python, coding language, soldering … I think every child is born with an innate sense of curiosity,” she said.
That curiosity, Johnson said, is exactly what makes kids well-suited to learn cybersecurity.
“In reality, being a hacker is not a bad thing,” he said. “Understanding technology is their superpower, and we tell them they need to use that superpower for good, not evil.”
Whether it was soldering a souvenir badge or rebuilding a computer, Saturday’s camp focused on preparing the next generation of digital defenders.
“I like learning how to do it because it could be helpful for when I’m older,” said Marcen.
As kids were learning to protect systems of the future, the ongoing federal government shutdown is beginning to impact the cybersecurity workforce.
Thousands of federal employees are currently furloughed or working without pay, including nearly 65% of the nation’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
