Cryptography and Hacking: Cracking the Code

Prepare to be amazed as you watch your differently-wired kiddo make real friends, explore this unique content, grow under the guidance of this expert mentor, and be seen in all their glory!

Ages: 8-12 & 13-18

Class size: Maximum - 8 Students

Level: All Levels

Price Per Session: $44

Why Take This Course?

Is cryptography a bit of an enigma to you? Do you want to learn more on how codes have worked throughout history, or how spies transmitted messages across enemy lines? Want to figure out how to keep your younger sibling out of your communications? Or just like to solve puzzles? This course is for you…

☯️ There is a battle around us, a never ending arms race on two sides:

One side endeavors to shroud information in secrecy, from guarded state secrets to the most mundane to-do lists. On the flip side, relentless forces strive to liberate information, breaking through barriers with unwavering determination. This timeless struggle has echoed through the ages, from the days of Caesar and will continue long after we've moved on to the stars.

This is the captivating realm of cryptography and hacking, the intricate interplay of encrypting and decrypting secrets that spans generations.

Is cryptography a puzzle you're eager to solve? Do you long to unravel the workings of codes or discover how spies communicate across enemy lines? 

Whether you seek to fortify your own communications or simply relish the challenge of solving puzzles, join us in the cunning world of cryptography and hacking. Together, we will work through the history of cryptography and examine its future, looking at the arms race between encryption and decryption. From ROT13 to RSA public key encryption.

  • This course is your portal to understanding the history, mathematics, implementation, and coding of cryptographic algorithms. Dive into Python coding with provided samples, and uncover the stories of leaders who opened the doors to this clandestine world.

    Throughout the year, we'll navigate various levels of complexity, each compartmentalized for seamless entry, ensuring you can join us at any point.

    In this term, we'll journey from the origins of cryptography, tracing the footsteps from the time of Caesar to the gripping unraveling of the enigma machine.

    Students in this class will discover how some of the greatest codes of all time worked and how they can apply these principles to make your very own codes!

    Are you prepared to crack the code of the past and venture into the intricate world of cryptography and hacking?

    Join us on this thrilling expedition!

  • Students in this class will discover how some of the greatest codes of all time worked and how they can apply these principles to make your very own codes!

  • Internet access and a can-do-attitude!

How To Enroll

Explore Times

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What Our Parents Say…

  • “I’m not exaggerating when I say that I listen in on this class because it’s so cool! Where were classes like this when I was growing up? Man! Mr. Z is truly a gifted teacher! He makes learning statistics so fun! My son never cared much for math before and now he LOVES IT!”

    -Jerry

  • “Mr. Z’s stats class is so much fun! My son always leaves that class saying that he wishes it met everyday! We’re so happy we found it!”

    -Steph

  • “Our daughter really loves this class. Mr. Z is so fun and she feels like she’s learning all the cool stuff she would look up on her own time, but with a group! We love Mr. Z!”

    - Lyn

Meet Your Mentor

Eric Lloyd Zeltmann (Mr. Z)

I am a parent of five kids, all of which are different and awesome in their own ways. I have learned much about myself, and how to adapt quickly to situations, as I am surrounded by kids with ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia on a daily basis. And, to boot, they're all smarter than the average bear, which makes everything even faster and more chaotic. However, I stand as a stalwart math teacher throughout, even when they moan and go "Oh no, Dad's doing math again!"

I've worked in public school, private school, and have even home-schooled some of my kids. My greatest parenting achievement was to prove that if every one of those kids knocks on my door once every half hour, that still means that I get ten interruptions per hour. Yet, they still do it :-). I love working with kids because every one of them is a bundle of potential, hope, and zany stories about something they love and hold dear. Every time I teach, I see something new, and I can't wait to see what your kids can teach me!

Explore Other Courses Offered by Young Scholars Academy

Our Promise To You

Satisfaction Guarantee:

If you’re not 100% IN LOVE with this course within the first 24 hours, you can either transfer to another course, get a 100% refund credit toward a future class or get a 75% money-back.

That’s it! No hassle!

In 3 years and over 500 families served, only 2 families have ever used this.

*more info in FAQs below

Questions Asked By Fellow Parents

  • 4 KEY things:

    1- A focus on the positive! We don’t focus on what students aren’t doing, we support what they are and we know the rest will come. We develop strengths, interests, and relationships. We build students up so they can build a better world! And do it with the new friends they make in our program!

    2- Like-minded neurodivergent peers. Our asynchronous students need one another and YSA is a safe haven for these kiddos to connect around their asynchronies, quirks, and interests. We’re a place where they can be their authentic selves and make friends while doing so!

    3- Passionate, masterful neurodivergent mentors who have walked the walk and can authentically validate and support your child with personal experience and care AND expertise as we all have advanced masters + degrees

    4-Content your students care about taught in a way they love! We offer the courses they need to be taking, not the ones they’re required to take.

    Come by and see for yourself!

  • Please don’t confuse reactive “distance learning” and virtual enrichment programming. After all, a student who is completely fried from a boring zoom class is often quick to pick up a tablet or phone, right?

    Our courses are not at all the same animal =)

  • We offer a satisfaction guarantee!

    If you’re not 100% IN LOVE with your course, you can:

    1- Transfer to another equal value class at no charge (space permitting)

    2- Get a 100% refund to a YSA credit

    3- Get a 25% money-back to your credit card

    Refund requests must be received up to 24 hours after the first day of camp. After 24 hours after the first class begins there will be no refund of tuition.

    The non-refundable 25% deposit is critical as it allows us to determine which courses we can run.

    Note- this is a satisfaction guarantee, therefore your child must attend class to qualify.

    *Note- Yearly courses like AP require a 30-day notice

  • We do! We have 3 kinds:

    1- Word of mouth: 25% off- we know that the best way to reach new families is word of mouth. When you help another family enroll in a YSA class and they name you at checkout, you will get 25% off the cost of the course you’re currently enrolled in once they stay past the refund period. Note— this applies to all regular courses, BUT only applies to the first month of membership courses.

    2- Multi-sibling: 10% off- We believe in supporting whole families and we are willing to put our money where our mouth is! When you sign-up 2 or more kiddos you will receive 10% off. Note— this does not apply to our membership courses.

    3-Multi-course: 10% off- To fully serve your family, we hope to provide your child with all the courses they dream of taking! To make this more affordable, when you enroll in 3 or more classes, you will receive 10% off. Note— this does not apply to our membership courses.

  • Of course!

    As we like to say, if you’re on our site, you’re in the right place.

    Our programming is for students who are not being supported or challenged enough in school.

    If you have an asynchronous kiddo who you know has strengths and struggles, our courses are for your child.

  • 2e students experience such asynchronous development that it proves difficult to have hard age limits.

    We often evaluate students on a case by case basis =)

    Please email us and we’ll discuss: sam@youngscholarsacademy.org

  • All of our programs are 100% virtual. This allows us to bring together the twice-exceptional/neurodivergent students of the world, connect them, and nurture them!

    Your child may very well enter a 6-person class with 5 other students from 5 different states/countries!

    Cool, right?