Cyber Education and Research Center hosts high school tech day: Tech Mania 2026

MURRAY, Ky. — On March 26, nearly 200 students from 10 different high schools across west Kentucky, northwest Tennessee and southern Illinois participated in Tech Mania 2026. The event was sponsored by Murray State University’s Cyber Education and Research Center, with the aim of encouraging students to pursue careers in cybersecurity and network management.

Since its launch in 2018, Tech Mania has provided collaborative learning experiences for high school and middle school students from schools around the Murray State region. Schools participating in Tech Mania 2026 included Caldwell County Area Technology Center, Dawson Springs High School, Graves County High School, Henry County High School (Tennessee), Hopkins County Career and Technology Center, Mayfield-Graves County Area Technology Center, Marshall County High School, McCracken County High School, Murray High School, Trigg County High School and Cairo High School (Illinois).

“Tech Mania provides high school students with the opportunity to engage in team-based competitions centered around cybersecurity and networking,” said Michael Ramage, director of the Murray State Cyber Center. “Our goal is not only to build technical skills, but to spark interest in high-demand careers and help students see a future for themselves in the technology workforce.”

Students were organized into groups of two based on their skill levels and tasked with completing several activities to earn points. For Tech Mania 2026, teams competed in various challenges through the KC7 online cybersecurity competition platform. KC7 Cyber allows students to work through a real-world cyber investigation through an immersive online tool. Students also had the opportunity to add points by completing a cabling exercise. 

The students on the winning teams received scholarships to attend Murray State University’s Cybersecurity and Network Management (CNM) program, with many other students receiving door prizes throughout the day. 

Tech Mania 2026 winners were:

• • • • • Eli Holley, junior, Marshall County High School

        • Logan Dodd, senior, Murray High School

        • Elijah Dunbar, senior, Dawson Springs High School

        • Ardun Wilson, junior, Trigg County High School

“Many of the students who enroll in our program first experience cybersecurity through Tech Mania while they are still in high school,” said Randall Joyce, program coordinator of the Cybersecurity and Network Management program. “That early exposure builds confidence and interest, and it’s exciting to see those same students continue their journey with us at Murray State.”

In 1997, Kentucky House Bill 1 created Programs of Distinction through the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education at public postsecondary institutions, including Murray State University’s cybersecurity program. Murray State offers a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and network management, along with an accelerated master’s degree—available online—in cybersecurity management that can be completed in 12-18 months and certificates at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Murray State’s Cyber Education and Research Center provides education, research, development and outreach support for the University’s cyber-related programs.

In 2019, Murray State was designated a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.

The program is recognized as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, certified through the Quality Assurance Commons with the Essential Employability Qualities Certification, and has won multiple national awards over the years through ITERA, including Program of the Year. 

Learn more about Murray State’s CNM program at murraystate.edu/cyber.