This innovative practice full paper describes a collaboration to incorporate cybersecurity into an Electrical Engineering program. It is widely recognized that there is a need to educate the technical workforce to be prepared against cybersecurity threats. There is a growing recognition of the importance of Cybersecurity in various engineering fields, including Electrical Engineering (EE). However, including Cybersecurity in EE curricula may not be as prevalent or emphasized as in fields like Computer Science or Computer Engineering. For three years the ARMY - DEVCOM - Analysis Center at WSMR has collaborated with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at The University of Texas at El Paso in a multifaceted series of efforts to increase the number of students capable of working on cybersecurity from the physical perspective. In addition, there is a general increase in awareness about vulnerabilities, attacks, and their countermeasures in system confidentiality, integrity, and availability in each cohort. There are four major efforts in the partnership. First, the entire capstone design cohort receives basic training to increase awareness of cybersecurity to be considered as part of the general requirements of all projects. Second, in each cohort, there is at least one team focusing on developing a system solution for a cybersecurity application, such as training devices or demonstration platforms in an unclassified setting. Third, the degree plans of the ECE bachelor's and master's degree programs have evolved to include formal elements of cybersecurity through several courses, including a cybersecurity track within Computer Engineering. Finally, concurrently with other efforts, a group of students is hired by the university to work as interns with the ARMY. In previous years, we presented initial results regarding the number of students who benefitted from these efforts as well as representative systems developed by students. To complete the assessment, we are working on a two-phased explanatory sequential mixed methods study using quantitative data and then explaining the quantitative results with in-depth qualitative data. The initial phase of the study collected quantitative data through surveys for several student cohorts. This will be followed by some interviews with selected individuals to probe or explain those results in more depth. Our initial hypothesis is that the different efforts should increase the number of students aware of cybersecurity considerations in engineering designs as well as their expertise level. Our next question to answer is which methods produce the best results in preparing the specialized workforce to deal with cybersecurity aspects of cyber-physical systems.

This paper presents a Work in Progress relating the impacts observed by offering access to the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) family of robotics programs on a significant minority-serving community on the US-Mexico border. Many programs oriented to$\mathbf{K-12}$students involve robotics, such as VEX, BEST robotics, and FIRST. We focus specifically on FIRST because the program focuses on developing multiple skills beyond learning about technology. In 2010, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) started hosting the FIRST Lego League (FLL) event oriented to 4th-8th grade students, and a year later, began with the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC, 7th to 12th grades), as well as FLL Jr (1st to 4th grade). We also supported the FIRST Robotic Competition (FRC for 9th to 12th grades), assisted teams in the region, hosted events in 2018 and 2019, and planned for 2024. The FLL program has an equally important research component where students learn about a societal problem involving technology, propose an innovative solution, and creatively present their proposal. In all three programs, FLL, FTC, and FRC, the students are encouraged to help their community by applying what they learned and also promote STEM. Finally, the spirit of the events encourages cooperation and supporting all other teams while doing their best. This last idea has been called “Gracious Professionalism.” As we introduce younger students to this series of programs, they develop their academic, problem-solving, social interaction, and working ethics. Working as a team coach and mentor gives you a unique perspective, as one can see the students working through their zone of proximal development (ZPD) and making sense through situated learning of the constructs learned in the classroom. As we had started FLL in a particular grade school class, not only students asked for the continuance of the programs, but parents as well. We have observed the students' increased interest in STEM throughout these years. Most notably, the high school graduates who entered our programs at UTEP exhibit better skills to engage in college courses. The critical thinking skills gained through research and the social abilities to help others enable them to navigate successfully the college environment, particularly on a commuter campus. Many of the FIRST alums became volunteers for the K-12 programs, creating a student organization in robotics and enabling the academic units to offer a new minor degree in robotics to serve multiple engineering disciplines. During the 2022–2023 season alone, more than 900 K-12 students actively participated in the events, and around 30 college students plus several faculty members and professionals got involved.

Work in Progress: This paper presents the progress in an innovative practice in Cybersecurity Education. It is well-recognized that security is becoming more critical to protect modern infrastructure. Traditionally cybersecurity has been perceived as a skill mainly required in user applications or in the upper protocol layers. However, there are concerns about vulnerabilities in embedded systems or in the lower protocol layers. The range of skills needed must encompass an understanding of cyber-physical systems due to the potential impact on the operation of modern technologies. We report the results of a holistic intervention in an Electrical and Computer Engineering program. The changes go beyond simply adding a cybersecurity class; instead, we have multiple actions disseminated in several aspects of the academic program providing the students with a richer experience. Students learn about cybersecurity through several methods thanks to an ongoing partnership between the US ARMY DEVCOM at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The efforts include steering the academic programs and supporting the creation of a separate degree in Computer Engineering besides the existing Electrical Engineering program. Other interventions involve adding cybersecurity concepts in several courses required by all Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering students. Other efforts include sponsorship of capstone projects and support for graduate teaching assistants specialized in promoting cybersecurity education to entire cohorts. Between fall 2018 and fall 2020, we had an informal collaboration between UTEP and the ARMY group. The formal partnership started in Spring 2021 and has continued through spring 2023. Each semester, at least one capstone project is specialized in designing and building cyber-trainer devices that the soldiers use in WSMR. The projects demonstrate relevant concepts to prepare students in a controlled portable environment. Since the fall semester of 2020, more than 200 senior students have incorporated cybersecurity awareness in their capstone project. In addition, there are six more courses where students get exposure to cybersecurity and an average participation of 60 students per semester. The last student cohort responded to a survey to understand the perceived gains in cybersecurity knowledge. Most students have a positive attitude toward the knowledge received and recognize the importance of the new skills. Some students went even further and decided to pursue careers in the area. Several students applied for internship experiences at the ARMY DEVCOM WSMR facility as part of the collaboration. We got additional funding to expand the traditional research projects and include graduate students.

Work in Progress: This paper presents innovative practices in Cybersecurity Education. This field is becoming a critical skill to protect the modern infrastructure. Traditionally cybersecurity has been perceived as a skill used mainly by computer scientists. However, there are concerns about the communication protocols operating at lower layers because the vulnerabilities closer to the physical systems do not receive the same attention as the user applications and human interactions. Consequently, Electrical and Computer Engineering programs must introduce cybersecurity awareness in those areas. A common solution is the addition of a cybersecurity class in ECE curriculums. We tried a more holistic approach by providing interventions in different aspects of the student preparation providing a richer experience.A partnership between the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Analysis Center (DAC) at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has resulted in students learning about cybersecurity through several methods. The partnership helped define the modification of the curriculum and offered opportunities for new research projects. The efforts include sponsorship of capstone projects and support for graduate teaching assistants specialized in promoting cybersecurity education to the entire cohorts.The specialized teaching assistants offered training to the entire cohort of students participating in the capstone design course to provide everyone with cybersecurity awareness. Some of the capstone projects specialized in designing and building cyber-trainer devices that the soldiers use in the WSMR. Since the fall semester of 2020, three cohorts, including 115 senior students, have benefitted from cybersecurity awareness training. Three major capstone projects were developed, creating cyber-trainers used by the ARMY.Two new courses were added to the Electrical Engineering curriculum, and a new track in security was proposed for a Computer Engineering program. Three graduate students were hired as teaching assistants to help the educational efforts while working on their research projects related to cybersecurity. Several students applied for internship experiences at the ARMY, and some are considering permanent job offerings in the field. Finally, the collaboration has opened other opportunities to apply for traditional research funds in the cybersecurity domain.