National Cipher Challenge
Enrichment Overview
A group of students will sign up to and tackle the National Cipher Challenge (https://www.cipherchallenge.org) as presented each year by the University of Southampton. Initial sessions start with an introduction to basic ciphers in September before looking at more difficult code cracking and the use of software. In October to December there is a sequence of challenges of increasing difficulty, posted by the university for students to try to be the first to decipher as they uncover this year’s mystery. There will be an opportunity within the enrichment to consider how the skills developed can be used in different careers.
Why choose this enrichment?
“At crypto club students often tell me that ‘I never thought I could do that’ … It isn’t solving messages that matters but the journey they take to arrive at the solution.”
Students should choose this enrichment to open up an area of mathematical and puzzle-solving thinking not normally taught in schools but is a world that increasingly drives our modern lives. What does it mean for something to be ‘encrypted’? How did we get from ancient ciphers to modern cryptography? What happened at Bletchley Park, and how did the need to crack codes in wartime lead to the invention of computers?
Students can take on this learning as part of a fun challenge that also builds teamwork and independent study skills – and getting to show off how good a code-cracker they have become. Each team of students can submit their entries to the Cipher Challenge online and if completed, students can win the national competition. The best codebreakers in the country will receive medals at a special award ceremony in Bletchley Park.
How long will the enrichment last?
From September to January.
How much time a week will it involve?
1 session per week. These start with ‘lessons’ on ciphers and later become a shared meeting for students to discuss their progress and organise their teams.
What will it cost?
Nothing. Students will need to be able to use a web browser on a phone or laptop.
Who can sign up?
Any students. Strongly recommended for those looking into Pure Mathematics or Computer Science at university.
How do I sign up?
At enrolment. It is not possible to do another enrichment alongside this.