; (2) helps students practice correct and safe online behavior and understand the foundational principles of cybersecurity; and (3) improves teaching methods for delivering cybersecurity content for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science curricula. (p) Critical infrastructure protection Due to the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals to protect the Nation’s critical infrastructure, the Director of the National Science Foundation may— (1) grant exceptions to students for fulfilling post-award employment obligations under this section (on a case-by-case basis and in coordination with other Federal agencies) who agree to work in a critical infrastructure mission at a Federal Government corporation or a State, local, or tribal government-affiliated asset, system, or network that is considered to be part of a critical infrastructure sector as described in Presidential Policy Directive–21, issued February 12, 2013 (related to critical infrastructure security and resilience), or any successor; and (2) develop a pilot program to enhance critical infrastructure protection training for students pursuing careers in cybersecurity. (q) Studies The Director of the National Science Foundation, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall assess— (1) the potential benefits and feasibility of granting scholarship awards under this section to students who do not possess a bachelor’s degree to pursue an associate's degree or an industry-recognized credential in a cybersecurity field; and (2) how scholarship recipients with an agreement to work at an institution of higher education or local educational agency are supporting the cyber workforce pipeline. .