BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Hernando High School students are testing their knowledge of computer coding.

Students from the Academy of Computer Science and Cybersecurity recently competed in the Hacking for Hope event. Collectively, they raised more than $1,000 for charity. The skills these students are learning are changing the technology landscape.

“I can do something that’s really cool and like, ‘Wow, what do you do for a living?’ Oh, I hack into people’s computers and whatnot,” says Hannah Pearson, a senior at Hernando High.

Inside a Hernando High School classroom, students learn the fundamentals of ethical hacking. In other words computer hacking. Only, it’s not quite what you might think.

“We’re not going to hold anybody’s information for ransom or anything,” Pearson says. “It’s bad. It’s not ethical at all. We’re more into saving the day and trying to save the day.

Just this month, students’ skills were put to the test during a special event. Taking part in Hacking for Hope, an event to raise money for the Give Kids the World charity.

The event was organized by cyber security teacher Mason Lewis.

“When I learned about Give Kids the World Village, I knew a cause,” Lewis said. “I wanted to help through my students and we went to these hacking competitions and it just kind of became natural.”

Students had to go into the computer system and see what they called weakness flags in the computer. or areas of vulnerability where a potential hacker could attack.

“We did capture the flag, so you’re basically attacking a computer, and you have to get bits of information called flags,” said Degan David, a senior at Hernando High School. ” “You need to get a certain amount to win.”

People can donate money or pay a flat rate based on the amount of flags captured. It is a real-life experience for these students, which prepares them for life after school.

“It comes naturally to me,” Pearson says. “I really enjoy it and like I said, there’s a lot of opportunity and it happens. The pay’s not bad either, which is no bad thing!

Students will compete in a statewide Hack-A-Thon competition in the spring. Meanwhile, donations to Give Kids the World are still being accepted. You can learn more. Online here.