IDSC was pleased to present Dr. Garfield “Gary” Jones, DEng, Associate Chief of Strategic Technology at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CISA is the operational lead for Federal cybersecurity and the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience.

At CISA, Dr. Jones strategizes and provides guidance on the use of innovative and leading-edge technology. A retired Army Reserve officer, he previously worked as a Systems Engineer developing complex weapons, geographic, and information systems for agencies like the ONI, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, and NCIS. Dr. Jones holds a Doctor of Engineering in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a concentration in Machine Learning and AI. He teaches courses in Computer Science and Systems Engineering.

The subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been at the forefront of U.S. education over the past several years. Much of the focus on STEM education has centered on increasing student achievement in science and math, with the assumption that higher achievement will ensure that students are “ready” to compete. However, students need to have and maintain interest in STEM courses.  Educators in the K-12 sector have adopted a variety of approaches based in problem- and project-based learning—often collectively referred to as “PBL”, this project-based approach will help to establish a more interactive environment encompassing theory and practical application.

This lecture took place on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 3:00-4:00 PM EST at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus in the Otto G. Richter Library, 3rd Floor Conference Room #343 • 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146.

Talk Title
“Appropriately Motivating and Leveraging Academic Problem Solving and Student Interest in Careers that Advance National Cybersecurity Capacity”

Abstract
The subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been at the forefront of U.S. education over the past several years. Much of the focus on STEM education has centered on increasing student achievement in science and math, with the assumption that higher achievement will ensure that students are “ready” to compete. However, students need to have and maintain interest in STEM courses. Educators in the K-12 sector have adopted a variety of approaches based in problem- and project-based learning—often collectively referred to as “PBL”, this project-based approach will help to establish a more interactive environment encompassing theory and practical application.