By Davion Scott-Bell OMAHA, Neb. – The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s uBEATS program is redefining how middle and high school students explore science and health care careers. Offering more than 100 free online learning modules, the program gives students in grades 6-12 a head start in STEM and health science education, all from the comfort of their classroom or home.
Developed through a partnership between the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), uBEATS, which stands for Building Excellence in Academics Through STEM, was created to bridge a growing gap between what students learn in the classroom and the fast-changing world of health care and technology.
The program is guided by UNMC’s e-learning team and was created in 2018 to provide students with access to public health knowledge. That foundation established uBEATS as one of the region’s most accessible and flexible online learning tools for STEM and health science education.
A new kind of classroom experience
The online platform includes modules on genetics, cancer, microbiology, pharmacology, behavioral health, public health, medical terminology, and academic success. Each lesson was developed by UNMC and UNO faculty to complement what students already learn in science and health classes, not replace it.
Each module uses animations, quizzes, and real-world examples to help students connect scientific concepts to what they might experience in a health care career.
Students can complete modules independently or as part of their school curriculum. Teachers can integrate them directly into lessons to add advanced content or use them as enrichment tools for motivated learners.
For educators, uBEATS is designed to make life easier. The program’s creators emphasize its simplicity: “uBEATS makes a teacher’s job easier by giving a simple, easy way to offer advanced content,” the website notes. Teachers can browse modules by topic or grade level, select activities that fit their course, and track completion—all at no cost.
According to Sarah Shaffer, curriculum and education specialist for uBEATS, the program’s success lies in how it meets students where they are with engaging, multimodal learning.
“I think this is a great way of showing students their content in a way that’s just a little bit different than they normally get it,” Shaffer said. “It’s interactive. It’s engaging. They get to hear while they read, so it’s hitting all their learning preferences. And it’s just an exciting way for them to hear this content through a different lens.”
Shaffer added that parents can also feel confident in the program’s credibility. “From a parent’s point of view, I think it’s great that this is something the university has created together with the e-learning lab. It proves that you can trust it, that experts have put this together and that their kids can use it to get inspired, knowing the content is accurate.”
Tim Krayer, e-learning multimedia technologist for the uBEATS team, said the platform isn’t just about academic support, it’s about sparking new interests and revealing opportunities.
“I think uBEATS can be used to get students excited about health science careers and show them pathways and options they might not otherwise be aware of,” Krayer said. “Getting it outside of the traditional classroom curriculum shows them other directions they can explore.”
Krayer added that both parents and teachers are still discovering the potential of e-learning. “It’s such a new field that a lot of people might not yet have a fair view of what it can really do and how it can supplement classroom education,” he said. “I’d say give it a try, look at a module or two and see how it breaks down complex subjects in a way everyone can understand.”
Since its launch, uBEATS has gained national recognition. It’s endorsed by the National Consortium for Health Science Education and listed as an approved resource of the Omaha STEM Ecosystem.
The program’s reach has grown far beyond Omaha, with schools in 48 states using uBEATS content and thousands of modules completed each academic year. In Nebraska, it’s been especially valuable for rural and underserved communities that might not otherwise have access to high-quality STEM materials.
To motivate learners, uBEATS awards digital badges to students who complete certain modules. These badges can be highlighted on college applications or digital portfolios, offering students tangible recognition for their curiosity and initiative.
Beyond the classroom, uBEATS has a long-term goal: to build a pipeline of health care and science professionals who can meet Nebraska’s growing demand for skilled workers.
By introducing students to careers early, the program helps them visualize themselves in those roles. Modules like Careers in Health Care walk learners through different professional paths, from nursing and lab research to medical technology and public health.
Their work helped position uBEATS as a key part of Nebraska’s effort to connect education with opportunity and to prepare a new generation of students for success in health and science careers.
Getting started with uBEATS is simple. Students and teachers can register online at unmc.edu/elearning/ubeats, choose from modules that align with their interests or curriculum, and begin learning immediately.
The program continues to grow, with new content areas such as public health and behavioral science planned for upcoming school years.
As Nebraska schools look for creative ways to inspire curiosity in STEM and health education, uBEATS is proving that innovative digital learning can make a lasting impact—not just in grades or test scores, but in shaping the future health workforce of the state.
Leave feedback about this