# NCR Course Module 4
## Class 10 Lesson Plan

### Advanced Topics in Cryptography & Zero-Knowledge Proofs

> Register for the class: [Here](https://near.social/xvii.near/widget/NCR.Index?tab=home)

**Facilitator**: [Chloe Lewis](https://near.social/mob.near/widget/MyPage?accountId=chloe.near)
**Co-Facilitators**: [Nedlar](https://near.social/mob.near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=15870c8972a9fe6cdb7dfc2df835740108e8674cc170a091cd0ece0b9e4f6cfa) & [BGem](https://near.social/mob.near/widget/ProfilePage?accountId=bheegem.near)
**Guest Lecturer**: None
**Date**: March 1st, 2024 (week 10)
**Time**:10am AST | 2pm UTC
**Duration**: 1 hour
**Platform**: [NCR Thread on Telegram](https://t.me/ResearchWG/181)

### Learning Objectives
- Understanding the key cryptographic components of blockchains, including hashing, private/public keys, and transaction signing.
- High-level understanding of zero-knowledge proofs, their role in privacy and scalability, and their applications in NEAR Protocol projects.

### Pre-Reading Material
- [Past Classes for Review](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/NRC):
- [Class 1: Foundations of Blockchain and NEAR Protocol](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-01)
- [Class 2: Methods for Blockchain Data Retrieval](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-02)
- [Class 3: Data Transformation and Visualization Techniques](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-03)
- [Class 4: Advanced Data Analysis Techniques](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-04)
- [Class 5: Identifying Potential Research Topics](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-05)
- [Class 6: Governance in Blockchain](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-06)
- [Class 7: Decentralized Finance (DeFi)](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-07)
- [Class 8: Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-08)
- [Class 9: Blockchain Gaming](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-09)
- [Zero-Knowledge Now on NEAR](https://medium.com/nearprotocol/zero-knowledge-now-on-near-bd575fb3182)
- [LNC ZKPs for Privacy](https://learnnear.club/how-zero-knowledge-proof-can-ensure-data-privacy/)

#### Agenda

| Week | Time | Topic | Activity & Description | Resource |
|------|-------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| 10 | 0-5 mins | Introduction | Course and Class Intro | [ResearchWG on Telegram](https://t.me/ResearchWG) |
| 10 | 5-10 mins | Intro to Cryptography | Basic introduction to cryptography. | [Number Theory From 1st Principles](https://explained-from-first-principles.com/number-theory/) |
| 10 | 10-20 mins | Cryptography in Blockchain | Deep dive into hashing, private/public keys, and signing transactions. | [Blockchain Cryptography Overview](https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-cryptographic-primitive-in-blockchain/) |
| 10 | 20-30 mins | Cryptography in NEAR Protocol | Exploration of cryptographic components used in NEAR Protocol. | [NEAR Protocol Overview](https://docs.near.org/integrator/faq#how-are-cryptographic-functions-used) |
| 10 | 30-40 mins | What are Zero-Knowledge Proofs? | Introduction to zero-knowledge proofs and their significance in blockchain. | [Zero-Knowledge Proofs Explained](https://www.circularise.com/blogs/zero-knowledge-proofs-explained-in-3-examples) |
| 10 | 40-55 mins | Zero-Knowledge on NEAR Protocol | Overview of NEAR's projects involving zero-knowledge proofs, focusing on privacy and scalability. | [NEAR Protocol's ZK Projects](https://medium.com/nearprotocol/zero-knowledge-now-on-near-bd575fb3182) |
| 10 | 55-60 mins | Questions and Next Steps | Q&A session and introduction to homework assignments. | [Class 5 HW](https://hackmd.io/i8trDOxrQ5qeXUJVVFVNlQ#Homework) |

#### Homework
- [MultiXender](https://near.social/fdaomultixender.near/widget/MultiXender)

- **Week 10: Cryptography in Practice**
1. Share the transaction hash on the [Blockchain Operating System (BOS)](https://near.social/) for when you claimed your [NCR NFT](https://shard.dog/ncr), or another significant on-chain memory.
2. Share the link in the [Homework Telegram Thread](https://t.me/ResearchWG/1436).

- **Week 10: Exploring Zero-Knowledge Proofs**
1. Visit [Opact Tickets (formerly hideyour.cash)](https://www.hideyour.cash/) and explore their zero-knowledge proof system.
2. Create a ticket using their zero-knowledge proof system.
3. Document your experience in creating and using the ticket and share your experience on the [Blockchain Operating System (BOS)](https://near.social), and link your post in the [Homework Telegram Thread](https://t.me/ResearchWG/1436).

[Session Link: HackMD Class10](https://hackmd.io/@doulos819/ncr-10)