GeoEMERGE

The EMERGE NASA Data Hackathon at the University of Florida brings students and community members together to transform real environmental data into impactful maps, dashboards, and stories.

Using NASA-supported GLOBE Observer data, participants explore topics such as mosquito-borne disease, land cover change, and environmental health. Whether you’re new to data or an advanced analyst, the Hackathon offers multiple tracks tailored to your experience.

This event highlights how community science and geospatial data can power real-world insights and decision-making.

Participants are encouraged to use tools such as:

• GLOBE Observer mobile and web tools (required -- though you may complement with other datasets)

  • Mosquito Habitat Mapper

  • Land Cover

• Data visualization & GIS

  • Tableau, Power BI, Flourish, Google Sheets

  • QGIS, ArcGIS Online

• Analysis platforms

  • Python & Jupyter Notebooks

  • Google Earth Engine

• Web & app tools

  • HTML/CSS/JS

  • APIs and UX tools (for App Improvement Track)

• Field-data tools

  • SciStarter Mapping Mosquito Habitats kits

The emphasis is on turning data into action — not specific tools. You may use any platform that helps you tell a clear, data-driven story or solution.

Here are ideas to spark your project:

• Map mosquito risk using ground and satellite data

• Visualize land cover change over time

• Build dashboards that combine multiple datasets

• Tell stories about environmental health for public audiences

• Improve tools like the GLOBE Observer app (App Improvement Track)

• Connect field sampling to real data workflows

Projects that drive community insight, public engagement, and real-world relevance are strongly encouraged.

If you need help with your Devpost submission or have questions during the event:

Event Lead & Primary Contact
Dr. Caroline Nickerson
Executive Director, Florida Community Innovation
Communications Lead, EMERGE
📧 caroline.nickerson@floridainnovation.org
📞 407-562-7793

General Support & Kit Requests
📧 info@floridainnovation.org

Mentors, NASA experts, and librarians will be available throughout the day to support participants.

These resources are useful before and during the hackathon:

• EMERGE Open Curriculum — Intro & Lessons:
  https://geo-di-lab.github.io/emerge-lessons/intro.html

• GLOBE Observer: https://observer.globe.gov

• Mosquito Habitat Mapper: https://observer.globe.gov/do-globe-observer/mosquito-habitats

• Land Cover Tool: https://observer.globe.gov/land-cover

• Data Access & Downloads: https://www.globe.gov/globe-data/globe-data-user-guide

• SciStarter Hub: https://scistarter.org

• Mapping Mosquito Habitats Kit: https://scistarter.org/library-build-mapping-mosquito-habitats

Participants are encouraged to explore these resources in advance — they will help you understand the data, tools, and citizen science context that drive your project.