Cyber Georgia STEMfest ignites passion for tech in local high schoolers

The next generation of science, technology, engineering and math leaders gathered with palpable excitement on Oct. 15, for the annual Cyber Georgia STEMfest. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center, the event brought together bright young minds from across the region for a day of immersive learning, hands-on competition and career discovery.

This year’s event was made possible through the generous support of key community partners and sponsors, including SteelGate LLC, Parsons Corporation, the Cyber Fusion Innovation Center and the SRS Community Reuse Organization. Their commitment highlights the region’s collaborative effort to foster a robust pipeline of future tech talent.

“Events like STEMFest strengthen the bridge between education and industry,” said Danny Etheredge, training director at the Georgia Cyber Center. “At the GCITC, we see this as an early investment in our region’s economic future to build a workforce that’s not only technically skilled but inspired to lead in cybersecurity, IT, AI and digital innovation.”

Students from a wide array of schools participated in the day’s activities. Teams traveled from all over the area, including:

• A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School (Richmond County)
• Davidson Fine Arts Magnet High School (Richmond County)
• Greenbrier High School (Columbia County)
• Thomson High School (McDuffie County)
• Woolard Technology Center (Kershaw County)
• Challenge Preparatory Academy (Richmond County)
• North Augusta High School (Aiken County)
• Burke County High School (Burke County)
• A dedicated group of homeschool students

Throughout the day, attendees cycled through dynamic, hands-on workshops. They engaged in a unique capture-the-flag competition hosted on the Georgia Cyber Range, constructed free-standing towers in The Garage makerspace and tested their problem-solving skills in an escape room.

“I never realized how creative cybersecurity could be,” said a student from North Augusta High School while working on an escape room challenge. “It’s like solving a high-tech puzzle.”

As the day concluded, students left with more than just free T-shirts; they left with new skills, new connections and a tangible vision of the opportunities awaiting them in STEM.