Did you know that NASA satellite data is being used to predict,monitor, and respond to vector-borne and water-related disease around the world? Imagine the value of using both GLOBE ground-based data; such as precipitation, vegetation, soil moisture, surface temperature, and humidity; to help us better understand disease! As you think about what you might like to research for the next school year, consider using NASA satellite data along with your GLOBE data to investigate various aspects of water-related and vector-borne disease. You can learn about the research conducted by several NASA scientists in this recent article from NASA's Earth Observatory, entitled "Of Mosquitoes and Models: Tracking Disease by Satellite". As you read this, think about how you might use existing GLOBE data along with freely available NASA data sets to try to determine the impact of various environmental parameters (precipitation, temperature, etc..) on an outbreak of a water-related or vector borne disease. You can see the "mosquito bundle" here and learn more about the GLOBE protocols that will help you study mosquitoes here.
