BISMARCK — High school students who enjoy gaming, puzzles, coding, or exploring technology behind the scenes will soon have a new arena to test their skills.

The University of Mary will host its inaugural CyberConnect CTF (Capture the Flag) cybersecurity competition on April 14, inviting students in grades 9-12 to compete in a fast-paced, gaming-style environment while learning about careers in the rapidly growing cybersecurity field. Hosted by the Gary Tharaldson School of Business, the event runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Chick’s Place in the Lumen Vitae University Center on the University of Mary campus. Sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m.

Students may register either as a team of four or individually. Those without a team will be placed on one by event staff. Participation is free, lunch is provided, and the top teams compete for cash prizes of $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second, and $500 for third. Teams must register by March 27 on the University of Mary website. Search CyberConnect for the link.