A hands-on challenge where students put their problem-solving, collaboration, and cybersecurity skills to the test.

A hands-on challenge where students put their problem-solving, collaboration, and cybersecurity skills to the test.

Two male highschool students designing their own video game at BlueSky Game Design challenge.

From game design to cyber defense

Originally designed as the BlueSky Game Design Challenge, the BlueSky CyberOps Challenge provides a unique opportunity for high school seniors to get real-world experience in IT/IS as they engage in a high-energy cybersecurity challenge and learn about the extraordinary BlueSky Tennessee Institute.

High school student working on a STEM fabrication lab project.

Through an immersive challenge experience, students work together to analyze threats, solve complex problems, and respond to simulated cyber scenarios. Along the way, they strengthen critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and technical skills while gaining exposure to cybersecurity careers and the growing opportunities within the field.



Experiences like Cyber Ops don’t begin when students walk through the door. They start with months of designing, testing, revising, and coordinating to ensure students have the opportunity to learn through authentic experiences.



For the 2026 Cyber Ops Challenge, Michael Stone and Dara Lacy led the work behind the challenge design and documented the decisions, tools, testing, and lessons that shaped the student experience.



The challenge was not built as a demonstration for students to watch. It was designed as something they had to enter, investigate, solve, and move through as active participants.

Through an immersive challenge experience, students work together to analyze threats, solve complex problems, and respond to simulated cyber scenarios. Along the way, they strengthen critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and technical skills while gaining exposure to cybersecurity careers and the growing opportunities within the field.



Experiences like Cyber Ops don’t begin when students walk through the door. They start with months of designing, testing, revising, and coordinating to ensure students have the opportunity to learn through authentic experiences.



For the 2026 Cyber Ops Challenge, Michael Stone and Dara Lacy led the work behind the challenge design and documented the decisions, tools, testing, and lessons that shaped the student experience.



The challenge was not built as a demonstration for students to watch. It was designed as something they had to enter, investigate, solve, and move through as active participants.

BlueSky Cyber Ops Challenge

The BlueSky Cyber Ops Challenge gives students the opportunity to experience cybersecurity through hands-on problem-solving alongside industry professionals. Working in teams, students respond to a simulated cyberattack by investigating evidence, solving technical challenges, and completing missions designed to put their critical thinking and collaboration skills into action. Throughout the experience, students work alongside IT professionals from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and see how the skills they are using connect to real-world technology careers. 



The challenge also gives students an opportunity to learn more about BlueSky Tennessee Institute and explore what their next steps after high school could look like. No previous cybersecurity or computing experience is required—the experience is designed to give students an accessible way to try something new, solve problems with their peers, and see themselves in spaces and careers they may not have considered before. 



From game design to cyber defense, the challenge continues to evolve alongside the skills and careers shaping our future.

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