The UNMC College of Medicine recently hosted health-science teachers from Omaha Public Schools as part of a new professional development initiative, “We ♥ STEM-M.”
The program, a collaborative effort between OPS, the UNMC College of Medicine and the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Teacher Education Department, aimed to strengthen connections between local educators and the university. Participants included teachers from several district high schools, including Omaha Benson, Central, North and Northwest.
Liliana Bronner, PhD, assistant dean for medical pathways at UNMC, led the session. “Our goal was to help OPS health-science teachers see how UNMC can support their teaching and inspire their students to consider STEM and medical careers,” Dr. Bronner said.
Amanda Fricke, a life sciences teacher at Omaha North High School, appreciated the open invitation to “a wonderful world-class facility that is just down the street from most of our schools.” She emphasized that her biggest takeaway was learning about the many opportunities available through future partnerships with UNMC.
Alexander Anton, another teacher from Omaha North, expressed enthusiasm about bringing his students to campus. “I would definitely take UNMC up on the offer to have students work with faculty, residents and medical students, as well as tour the technology here,” he said.
During the program, the teachers participated in a presentation from UNO faculty on mindset, science identity, development and STEM literacies and assets. They also engaged in breakout sessions focused on making medical terminology more accessible to students, exploring STEM-M student experiences and envisioning what a STEM-M student profile might look like.
The teachers heard from five UNMC students, including two medical students, two MD-PhD students and one PhD student, who shared how their high school teachers influenced their respective career paths.
OPS shared a teacher comment from a post-session survey commending the program, including a presentation by Kelly Gomez Johnson, EdD, department chair of teacher education at UNO and an associate professor of STEM education.
“Dr. Gomez Johnson’s presentation was one of the best I’ve heard in a long time,” the teacher said. “Also, the panel of medical students talking about the teachers who inspired them was very impactful. It made me reach out to several students I have kept in touch with to see how they are doing. I greatly benefited from the morning and truly appreciated it!”
The day included a tour of the Davis Global Center and a showcase of iEXCEL’s cutting-edge technology, leaving the teachers inspired by the possibilities for future collaboration with UNMC.
OPS district officials praised the program’s alignment with OPS’ “Portrait of a Graduate” framework. Jane Luethge, teaching and learning consultant for post-secondary partnerships, noted how the session directly supported efforts in the freshman seminar course, which helps students select their academy or pathway for grades 10-12. “I have communicated to my team how effectively this professional development supported our work in freshman seminar,” Luethge said.