10142437Cyber Fairy Tales NorthwestClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKCyber Fairy Tales is a Primary challenge to inspire the next generation of Cyber Professionals, designed and developed by STEMFirst. Themed on Hansel and Gretel, but with a cyber twist, students work as a team of cyber-crime prevention officers to rescue Hansel and Gretel and stop the dreaded organisation W.It.C.H. (World-wide Internet and Chaos, Hub) from hacking the internet. Our in-school hands on challenge for KS2 students, enables them to develop employability skills. They find out about the types of activities and skills essential to the cyber sector, whilst learning to keep safe in our increasingly digital world. Students develop essential skills (e.g. teamwork and problem solving), whilst learning about spam, passwords, encryption and cyber-crime. By assessing evidence and cracking locks, students work against the clock to stop W.It.C.H and rescue our cyber heroes, Hansel and Gretel. This memorable challenge is linked closely to methods cyber professionals use, and the session aims to inspire our young audience about cyber careers. Students meet a range of Cyber professionals, showing the diversity of careers, as it is especially important for young people to see people like them as cyber role models. We will have female Cyber professionals and people from diverse backgrounds helping bring cyber careers to life. Cyber Local funding has enabled Cyber Fairy Tales to be rolled out across the Northwest. STEMFirst have recruited a number of Cyber Employers, who have been provided with Cyber Fairy Tales resources, trained in delivering the Challenge and are being supported to engage with their local schools. This fantastic opportunity means that this inspirational programme will be delivered to over 7000 students per year, with high number of students from underrepresented groups taking part. Research shows that by utilising familiar and identifiable scenarios with young people, students can understand the concepts and processes that Cyber professionals use in the real world. This activity is memorable, relatable and enables students to develop their cyber skills in a fun inspirational way. Teachers will have follow on materials and information to support continued Cyber engagement with their students. All careers and society are affected by cyber. With jobs expanding in the Northwest across the Nuclear / Defence / Energy sectors, the regions schools in particular need impactful Cyber-STEM content. Inspiring the next generation, Cyber Fairy Tales will create a solid network of employers and education and support the future talent pipeline.