CyberFirst
Yorkshire

From 24–26 June, over 3,000 students attended STEMFest Bradford, stepping into a world of exploration across four themed zones: Space & Travel, Technology & Cyber, Sustainability & Well-being, and Manufacturing. This large-scale celebration of STEM gave students an opportunity to engage with hands-on experiences and real-life role models — helping them see the exciting possibilities ahead in science, technology, engineering, and maths.

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One of the most talked-about highlights of the event were the CyberFirst activities, where our incredible CyberFirst Team alongside our CyberFirst Ambassadors delivered dynamic, engaging experiences, placing Cyber Security front and centre.

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Across three unique, pre-bookable activities, CyberFirst Ambassadors sparked curiosity and real-world thinking among students:

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• Cyber Heist – a fast-paced digital challenge that simulates a real-world cyber mission

• Operation Enigma – introducing cryptography through history and logic puzzles

• Trailblazers – showcasing how technology is used in the workplace and discussing diverse pathways in cyber careers
   

Cyber Heist in particular captured students’ imaginations — thanks in part to a very special guest: an AI cyber dog. Based on Boston Dynamics Spot, the professional-grade quadruped robot, this futuristic companion brought advanced technology to life in front of their eyes. Powered by AI, SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping), and autonomous navigation, Spot is typically used in high-stakes environments like oil rigs, construction sites, and search-and-rescue missions. By incorporating this cutting-edge robot into the challenge, Cyber Heist demonstrated the real-world applications of Cyber Security, robotics, and AI in a way that was unforgettable. 

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At the heart of the delivery was Zeshan Sattar, an experienced CyberFirst Ambassador and long-time advocate of the NCSC programme. Zeshan’s energy, insight, and leadership were evident throughout, particularly during Cyber Heist, where he helped guide students through complex scenarios with a mix of enthusiasm and expertise. Zeshan said “Since 2018, I’ve proudly championed CyberFirst because I believe every young person deserves the chance to discover the endless possibilities of Cyber Security.  Hosting CyberFirst at STEMFest in Bradford – the City of Culture 2025 – was an incredible opportunity to ignite pupils’ curiosity. Watching them crack codes, collaborate, and light up with excitement reminded me how powerful hands-on learning is in inspiring tomorrow’s cyber professionals.”

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Zeshan’s presence, along with our many other CyberFirst & STEM Ambassadors helped ensure students not only learned but that they connected with what they were learning. His enthusiasm, combined with his expertise, made the experience authentic, exciting, and deeply impactful.

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Teamwork in Action:  The delivery of the entire event & the CyberFirst experiences were made possible thanks to the dedication of our Ambassadors and the support of the brilliant Cummins volunteers, a huge shout out to Charlotte Wolvstenholme & Michelle Duck, who helped ensure everything ran smoothly and professionally across the three days. Together, showing how industry and education can collaborate to open new doors for young people.

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A highlight for us, was our Operation Enigma workshop, which transported students back to WWII and challenged them to step into the shoes of the codebreakers of Bletchley Park. Using authentic cryptographic techniques, students worked together to uncover hidden messages inspired by the legendary Enigma machine.

 

The sessions blended historical insight with practical problem-solving which helped to spark enthusiasm for cybersecurity while showing its relevance in both the past and the present.

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Across all three days, students showed amazing curiosity and resilience as they tackled ciphers and discussed the broader implications of cybersecurity in today’s digital world.

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We were blown away by the feedback from students, many had never explored cyber or cryptography before. It was inspiring to hear so many students come away with a new understanding of and excitement for cybersecurity and technology. The sessions didn’t just teach skills; they unlocked potential.

 

 

 

 

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We also dove into the high-energy activities of Esports, using competitive gaming to ignite conversation around strategy, digital skills and team-based learning. The CyberFirst Yorkshire team helped students understand how Esports can enhance decision-making, communication and resilience, all valuable skills in the cyber and technology sectors.

 

It’s been incredible to see how quickly students connected the dots between gaming, coding and cybersecurity, proving that learning can be immersive, impactful and seriously fun.

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We’re incredibly proud of what our CyberFirst Team achieved at STEMFest Bradford. From advanced robotics to hands-on cryptography, the experience was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passion, technology, and education come together.