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C-Tech² - Computers and Technology at Virginia Tech

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C-Tech² offers an opportunity to learn about college life--from residence halls to classrooms and everything in-between. It provides access to information and technology necessary to best prepare you for your future. The C-Tech² program is designed and intended for rising junior and senior high school girls.

This year we will offer two sessions of this program. The first (C-Tech^2) will expose students to the broad range of engineering disciplines. The second, University Partnership for Workforce Advancement and Research & Development in Semiconductors (UPWARDS), will focus on the microelectronics industry, cleanroom fabrication and career opportunities. An overnight trip to Micron Technology in Manassas is included. Participants should be interested in pursuing electrical, computer, materials science or chemical engineering or a related field. UPWARDS is funded in part by the National Science Foundation, Micron Technology, Inc., and Tokyo Electron Ltd.

Dates:

  • C-Tech²: Sunday, June 30 – Saturday, July 13, 2024
  • UPWARDS: Sunday, July 14 - Saturday, July 27, 2024

Deadlines:

  • Applications are open for 2024.
  • Applications close: Sunday, March 10th
  • Notification of Decision: Friday, March 29th 

What is C-Tech² all about?

  • Exploring applications of engineering in a way that is fun and exciting.
  • Spending time involved in hands-on activities designed to increase your interest in and knowledge of applications of engineering to real world situations.
  • Attending seminars to help you prepare for the college application process.
  • Interacting with others interested in pursuing careers in various engineering fields.
  • Completing an engineering design project
  • Meeting industry representatives and learning about what they’re looking for

The program will feature a Cybersecurity Capture the Flag competition sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Capture the Flag (CTF) is designed to challenge participants to solve computer security problems in order to earn points for their team. The CTF will be Jeopardy-style with challenges across several categories with increasing point values as the problems get more difficult. The game will have something for everyone; introductory challenges will help inexperience participants learn the basics. As challenges increase in difficulty, players will acquire new skills and solve new kinds of problems. More advanced players can continue to hone their skills by focusing on the hardest of challenges. The CTF will include categories such as cryptography, networking, web applications, reconnaissance, reverse engineering, and others.

CIA Summer Sponsorship Information

Contact CTech2

220 Gilbert Street (MC 0275), Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061
Phone: (540) 231-7337
Email CTech2

Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity

220 Gilbert Street (MC 0275)
Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061
Phone: (540) 231-7411
Email CEED