Integrating Cybersecurity in STEM Education: Hands-On Learning for the 5G/6G Era

STEM education has attracted the major interest of the research community in the last few years, in a variety of computer science hot topic areas. With the advent of fifth-generation (5G) and the upcoming sixth-generation (6G) communications, the demand for professionals knowledgeable in cybersecurity risks continues to increase. This paper explores the enhancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education through the integration of network and systems security topics, and specifically hands-on, experimental learning activities. With the inclusion of real-world use cases of cyber security and trust topics into curricula, educators can adequately prepare their students for an era of a fully interconnected world. Strategies for curriculum design that can foster a diverse, competent workforce, are discussed.