UNMC’s uBEATS program continues to mature as a respected online science and health science resource for middle and high school teachers and students across the U.S.
Now in its fifth year, the free uBEATS (the UNMC and University of Nebraska at Omaha Building Excellence in Academics Through STEM) program is being used in all 50 states.
Nationally, the program is endorsed by, and a member of, the National Consortium for Health Science Education. The NCHSE’s stamp of approval – along with alignment to national health science standards – offers validation for uBEATS modules, as well as strong national promotion.
In Nebraska, UNMC’s uBEATS team has increased its collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Education to align the program’s offerings with Nebraska educational standards in the areas of health science, science and family and consumer science. It’s a key reason uBEATS has become a preferred resource and partner throughout the state.
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uBEATS relies on donations to keep the educational program accessible to students and teachers. To make a gift, visit the University of Nebraska Foundation website and search for the uBEATS Excellence Fund. Learn more about uBEATS online.
The significant growth underscores the demand and responsiveness for high-quality resources for teachers and students in health sciences and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), said Peggy Moore, director of the UNMC Office of Interactive E-Learning, which oversees the program.
Since the launch of uBEATS in 2020, the program has reached a high of 100,000 lifetime student enrollments – proof that uBEATS is working, Moore said. “uBEATS addresses the breadth of needs and early exploration that is critical to our future health careers workforce,” she said.
Today, the free digital content – designed for grades six through 12 – spans such areas as cancer, genetics, microbiology and pathology, pharmacology and public health; recent additions include behavioral health, medical terminology and expansion of health careers content.
Robyn Jernigan uses uBEATS in her Omaha, Nebraska, classroom and highly supports the program. Lead teacher for Benson High School’s Health Professions Academy, Jernigan called uBEATS’ offerings “highly effective, amazing modules that support the science and health science classrooms.”
She employs the modules as “bell work” to start class, as assignments to introduce a new chapter or as an “exit ticket” to check students’ understanding.
Students find the modules interactive and engaging, she said. “It really speaks to them, and it keeps them focused and on track.”
Plus, she said, when teaching such topics as infection control and infectious diseases through the uBEATS material, “there’s a complete trust that comes from material that’s coming from UNMC.”
UNMC’s Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, envisioned and spearheaded uBEATS while serving as UNMC’s senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Today, he said, “uBEATS is impacting thousands of students across Nebraska and the nation. With the short supply of science-trained middle and high school teachers, and the need for high-quality, vetted health-related STEM teaching materials, uBEATS is helping to fill a major void.”