Event Recap
On May 2, 2026, the National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) hosted Cyber Saturday at the Technology Advancement Center (TAC) in Columbia, MD. Sponsored by Northrop Grumman Foundation and Booz Allen Hamilton, the event attracted over 200 students, parents, and volunteers for a full day of hands-on cyber literacy and cybersecurity learning.
The day kicked off with engaging presentations from Dr. Calvin Nobles, Vice President and Dean of the School of Cybersecurity & IT at the University of Maryland Global Campus and an NCF Board Member, and Siraaj Hasan, Vice President of National Cyber at Booz Allen and an NCF Board Member. Following their remarks, Hallie Zimmerman, Tech Fellow in Cybersecurity and AI Governance at Northrop Grumman, engaged attendees in a riveting discussion detailing her journey into cybersecurity, in which she connected her work helping organizations to safely use emerging technologies to how students can make informed decisions when protecting themselves and their data every day.
Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on sessions led by the NCF’s close network of partners, including:
- a Capture the Flag competition, sponsored by the U.S. Cyber Range at Virginia Tech, and facilitated by Robin Burns, NCF’s 2025 Teacher of the Year;
- the Escape Room in a Box, led by Loyola Blakefield student volunteers, Ryan, Teddy, WIll, and Max;
- Cyber Threat Defender: The Card Game, created by CIAS at UT San Antonio, and facilitated by Matt Sprouse from NSA;
- Micro:bit Kits and a Cyber Scavenger Hunt, created and led by the team at TAC; and
- the Elite Track, an advanced-level track for 9-12th grade attendees, led this year by BiaSciLab from Girls Who Hack, which focused on hands-on tech.
Interspersed throughout the student sessions, chaperones had the opportunity to attend informational talks on securing their personal data and raising the next generation of cyber warriors, led by the NCF’s Darnell Washington, BiaSciLab, and her dad. Also featured were exhibitors from Sapphire Rise and NVIDIA.
The event concluded with Dr. Alisha Jordan, NCF Director of Education, whose remarks emphasized the value of Cyber Saturday as an exemplary model for providing youth with tangible experiences to understand the importance of cyber education.
Photo Gallery
Agenda Activities
Cyber Capture The Flag
In partnership with the U.S. Cyber Range at Virginia Tech, attendees will participate in an online Capture the Flag competition, in which they put their cyber literacy skills to the test through challenges across various cyber topics, such as Forensics, Cryptography, Reconnaissance, and more.
Escape Room in a Box
The Escape Room in a Box is a portable, all-in-one cyber game where players work together to solve puzzles, find clues, and unlock boxes. You’ll race other teams to crack codes, reveal secret messages, and solve the final challenge before time runs out.
Rubik's Cube Hashing
Welcome to the Rubik’s Cube Encryption Game, where puzzle-solving meets cryptography! In this game, you’ll use the iconic Rubik’s Cube to unlock encrypted messages, applying your logic and spatial skills to crack the code. Get ready to twist, turn, and decode your way through challenging levels to become the ultimate encryption master!
MicroBit Kits Academy
Want to learn how to work with electronics and programming? Work hands-on with one of TAC’s Mechanical Engineers to connect wires, lights, buttons, and sensors to build cool projects! This activity is provided by the Association of U.S. Cyber Forces.
Who's Among Us?
In this exercise we will incorporate the “Among Us” game into Industrial control system infrastructure (ICS) and leverage the gameplay/rules to educate others about ICS, the realistic systems we incorporated, and the components that the systems are comprised of.
Cyber Elite Track for 9-12th grade only. Hands on Tech with BiaSciLab from Girls Who Hack
Cybersecurity goes far beyond the keyboard. Build real-world skills through hands-on experiences like soldering for hardware hacking, lockpicking to strengthen problem-solving and ethical awareness, and exploring advanced ciphers that power modern encryption. Expand your capabilities and become a more well-rounded cyber warrior.
Thank you Sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring a future program? Contact Rebecca Diamond at rdiamond@cryptologicfoundation.org for more information.
Technology Advancement Center (TAC)
Host/Partner
Northrop Grumman Foundation
Event Sponsor
Booz Allen Hamilton
Event Sponsor
Virginia Cyber Range
Activity Sponsor
Girls Who Hack
Activity Sponsor
Association of U.S. Cyber Forces
Activity Sponsor
Overview
The NCF partners with the Technology Advancement Center (TAC) to host Cyber Saturday, a program for approximately 100 5th to 12th grade students and their parents/guardians. With the ultimate goal of promoting cyber awareness, Cyber Saturday is for youth who want to learn about cyber and how to stay safe online. Attendees hear from guest speakers, participate in hands-on activities, are provided free lunch and swag, and are exposed to a range of topics in cyber.
About the Program Venue
The TAC is a cybersecurity nonprofit driving small business and academic engagement, STEM and workforce development, and proof of concept innovation. One of the TAC’s key pillars is to help the United States government and industry partners get access to the types of innovative products and solutions they need to advance their cybersecurity capabilities, as well as serve as an intermediary to small business, non-traditional entities, and academic communities.