Written By: Jeffries F. Epps, Staff Writer
Tarboro, NC – At Tarboro High School in Edgecombe County, students in Monika Underhill’s Audio Engineering class are learning much more than how to produce music—they’re developing skills that connect directly to STEM fields, including cybersecurity. Through hands-on projects in digital audio production, students are exploring sound analysis, pattern detection, and signal decoding—essential skills in both industries.
Audio engineering is the science and art of recording, editing, and manipulating sound using digital and analog tools. While often associated with music production, the field requires technical expertise in data analysis, frequency modulation, and signal processing—concepts that align with the principles of cybersecurity.
“I was amazed to discover the correlation of skills between audio engineering and cybersecurity,” said Underhill. “By analyzing sound waves, detecting patterns, and decoding signals, students are essentially engaging in the same processes used in cybersecurity to detect anomalies, break down encrypted data, and analyze threats.”
To bring these connections to life, students worked with interactive apps like Incredibox, Microbits, Databots, and Audacity, allowing them to visualize sound data and make real-time adjustments. These tools not only enhance their understanding of digital audio but also introduce them to the analytical mindset required in cybersecurity.
A Shared Skill Set: Audio Engineering vs. Cybersecurity
By integrating STEM concepts into audio engineering, students at Tarboro High School are gaining a broader perspective on how technical skills translate across career pathways. Whether they pursue a future in music production or cybersecurity, they’ll carry forward a foundation in analytical thinking, digital literacy, and problem-solving—proving that in education, as in music, the beat goes on.