Research, training key to program’s evolution

Since its launch more than a year ago, PedsAcademy has conducted about 40-60 patient lessons per day. Most lessons take place at the patient’s bedside, although there is a classroom at the hospital to accommodate group classes. Even siblings and children in outpatient treatment are welcome to participate.

The primary objective of PedsAcademy is to provide educational opportunities for sick children, but it continues to evolve behind two other focus areas:

• Research. While Nickels and her colleagues have done extensive research to determine the best educational methods for different childhood diseases, much remains to be learned. Ongoing studies help this precision education model to evolve.
• Training. A team of 54 UCF-affiliated faculty members power PedsAcademy, but the need for well-trained educators—at Nemours and beyond—is constant. Nickels says there’s a large cohort of faculty and students from UCF and Nemours associates training in the program, and many will work as PedsAcademy instructors. “But even if some teaching students go on to a traditional school setting, they will be solidly prepared to teach a medically complex child,” Nickels says.

Nickels and her team continue to pursue their objectives while expanding the breadth of the program at Nemours. Recent PedsAcademy additions include a science fair, a spelling bee and a musical theater presentation produced and performed entirely by students. She says these types of activities enhance the program’s mission to provide an exceptional educational experience while giving kids a taste of what they might be missing back at their regular school.