Chris Gaw wishes school had been like this when he was a kid. Three custom computers without firewalls, a class full of students collaborating on problem-solving and a national competition spotlighting cyber security - it makes him giddy. Because school was not his favorite place when he was young, his mission is to teach with a strong element of fun.

As he meets with and coaches the "Black Falcons," the code name for Green Hope High School's cyber security teams, Gaw is fueled by the group's energy and excitement. Sixteen of his students will enter the semiannual Cyber Foundations entry-level competition sponsored by U.S. Cyber Challenge. Last year, Green Hope's team came in second in the country; No.1 in North Carolina.

His 18 Programming II students have advanced to the CyberPatriot IV competition, the premiere national high school computer defense competition. Students must "defend, manage and update a live system while detecting and fending off system attacks." There are three rounds through the end of January and a national finals in March.

Q: Why are students so excited about the cyber challenges?

A: Cyber security is the thing right now. Last year, we went up against about 100 different high schools in the country and placed second. This year, the students who competed last year are in the advanced competition. Organizers throw up Web pages, and the students must get through them. The kids put two and two together: If the bad guys can find weaknesses in our nation's security, it's a major problem. They are taking the competition very seriously.

Q: How do you prepare for a challenge like this?

A: We have a website that we visit that gives us information about the competition. Wake County Public Schools has given us three computers that do not have firewalls so we can practice. And we are looking for a mentor from the outside who can show us the tricks of the trade. (Raleigh Information Systems Security Association), a technology group in Raleigh, is sponsoring our (advanced) team. And our principal, Dr. Hedrick, is behind what we're doing 100 percent. (Green Hope High is sponsoring the team participating in Cyber Foundations.)

Evan Hoke, a senior who organized our effort last year, is taking the reins again. The students have a website and Facebook page, and there are a lot of competitions going on. Evan lets everyone know the schedule and manages what needs to be done. We meet once a week during lunch, and last year, one of the competitions took place after school, so we ordered pizza and competed.

There is so much energy. As long as you keep them focused on being the good guys, which they are, they are rising to the challenge.

Q: So what will your students do during the competition?

A: The students are training to get in through the open back doors; check out the exposed areas within a website or domain. The ultimate gold ring is a series of websites made specifically for this competition. The students will be timed and must hack into a website, shut down a specified issue and leave no trace.

Q: How have things changed in programming and technology classes?

A: I was teaching 21st-century tactics long before the catch phrase came up. In these classes, we collaborate; I respect them, and they respect me.

I'm excited that we have five girls in our programming classes this year for a more even playing field. I'm glad that we have generated interest so that girls want to get involved.

I think the students can see how these skills apply to life beyond high school. Skills like this can help defend the country. Everyone has stepped up to the plate; these kids are committed. It's great to see how much they have absorbed beyond what we have taught them.