Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE Guatemala: Students in STEAM Program Research Mosquito-Borne Dengue
The first Guatemalan delegation of students to participate in the IVSS was able to join the GLOBE Latin America and Caribbean Regional Meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in October 2024. These students, from the STEAM Program Guatemala, are preparing a report for the 2025 IVSS on forest cover and the prevalence of Dengue due to the increase of mosquitos in the region. Their attendance at the Regional Meeting allowed them to interact with other students from the LAC region, Country Coordinators and Dr. Rusty Low from GLOBE, and Dr. Di Yang and Natalia Bermúdez from NASA.
Motivated by the recent dengue crisis in Guatemala, these students developed a low-cost mosquito repellent based on their observations and their research that could benefit vulnerable communities exposed to mosquitoes who carry dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and other diseases.
Participating students presented their initial results at the meeting and were sworn in by Guatemalan Vice President Karin Herrera, with special guest David Fogelson, public affairs officer from the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, and the National Science Secretary Gabriela Montenegro.
Students presenting their preliminary results at the GLOBE LAC Regional Meeting.
The STEAM Program is led by Dr. Magdalena Waleska Aldana Segura (GLOBE educator, GISN member) and Dr. Julián Félix (STEM specialist, GLOBE Network) and had support from the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala and the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, during the students’ training. Student participation was supported by COCESNA (Corporación Centro Americana de servicios de navegación aérea) and STEAMERIA Dominican Republic. Also, Dr. Rosalba Giarratano, Kristen Weaver, and Marilé Colón Robles delivered webinars to support their training during the recent eclipse observations, and Dr. Rusty Low, whom they met in person at the GLOBE LAC Regional Meeting, presented the mosquito trainings.
This was the first time for some of these students to travel outside Guatemala. This opportunity has had a profound impact on them, helping them pursue their dreams of STEAM-oriented career paths. One student in the delegation recently obtained a scholarship to study mechatronics. This proves the importance of broadening the impact of GLOBE educators, particularly in Guatemala. The GLOBE Observer app has also been valuable to students, enabling them to interact and strengthen their research skills with standardized protocols available via the app on their phones.
Students doing measurements in Sto. Domingo with other students from LAC region and Dr. Di Yang.
Students from Guatemala who participated in the GLOBE LAC Regional
meeting
with their GLOBE Teacher Dr. Waleska Aldana.
Thank Yous
Special thanks to Mariana Savino Globe ROC LAC for the help and support for the Guatemala delegation to participate in the Regional Meeting.
Photos courtesy of Magdalena Waleska Aldana Segura and Juan Felipe Restrepo.
Learn more about GLOBE Guatemala.