CybHER partners with Scouting America
January 26, 2026
On Saturday, Jan. 31, DSU’s CybHER® will lead Programming Merit Badge activities for local Scout troop students ages 12-18.
“CybHER is partnering with Scouting America for the first time, and we hope this becomes an annual collaboration,” said Kanthi Narukonda, director of the CybHER Institute. Narukonda manages a team of 10 undergraduate students who serve as CybHER leaders.
Those leaders will help scouts explore core programming concepts through hands-on coding activities that emphasize logic, problem-solving, and real-world applications, Narukonda said.
“Introducing Scouts to coding helps them develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that are valuable in any career path,” she said. “Earning a badge through coding also helps Scouts see technology as something they can actively create and understand, not just consume. It builds confidence and shows that technical skills are attainable and relevant to real-world challenges.”
In addition to being a learning experience for the Scouts, CybHER students will gain skills in leadership, communication, and teaching skills. It also helps them reinforce the technical knowledge they are learning in the classroom by requiring them to break down complex ideas for younger audiences.
“These events highlight the power of community partnerships in expanding access to technology education,” she said. “By working with organizations like Scouting America and Girl Scouts, CybHER helps create early, positive experiences with coding and cybersecurity while inspiring the next generation of problem solvers and leaders.”
Approximately 25-50 Scouts are expected to attend the event in The Beacom Institute of Technology from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 31.
For more information on CybHER outreach activities, visit the CybHER website.