Math. English. Art. All of these areas of education are essential—but what about teaching kids to stay healthy? UCF College of Nursing’s partnerships with Central Florida schools bring health programs to k-12 students across the region. Through the American Lung Association’s “Open Airways for Schools” (OAS) program, UCF provides asthma education to children ages 8 to 11 about the disease, proper use of medication and how to prevent episodes. OAS’ 40-minute segments, which are presented at local schools and other community centers, educate students about self-management techniques.
Additionally, a Central Florida Area Health Education Center grant allows the college’s undergraduate students to train middle-school students on tobacco prevention. A one-hour session is taught in various public schools and community centers across Central Florida and includes information about the effects of tobacco and its harmful ingredients on the body.