January 31, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Marston Science Library (Room L136), University of Florida
Presented by EMERGE, University of Florida GeoDI Lab, SciStarter, and Florida Community Innovation — with support from NASA and UF Libraries.
A Full-Day Hackathon That Turns Data into Action
The EMERGE Hackathon brings students and community members together to transform real environmental data into maps, dashboards, infographics, and actionable insights. Using NASA-supported GLOBE Observer data, participants will explore urgent topics like mosquito-borne disease, land cover change, and environmental health — and learn how community science can drive real-world decision-making.
No coding experience is required. Whether you are new to data or an advanced analyst, there is a track designed for you.
What You’ll Do
Participants will work in guided tracks to:
- Explore and visualize real GLOBE Observer data
- Learn geospatial analysis and spatial storytelling
- Collect and analyze field data using hands-on community science kits
- Build dashboards, maps, and infographics for public audiences
- Collaborate with peers, librarians, and NASA-affiliated experts
Featured Keynote Speakers
- Rusty Low
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
NASA GLOBE Mission Mosquito Lead - Peder Nelson
Oregon State University
NASA GLOBE Land Cover Scientist
Their participation connects UF students directly to national and global environmental research efforts.
Hackathon Tracks
Participants will choose one of five tracks:
Beginner (No Coding Needed)
- Intro to GLOBE Observer
- Mapping basics
- Data exploration & visual storytelling
Intermediate
- Python & Jupyter notebooks
- Multi-dataset mapping
- Data integration
Advanced
- Remote sensing workflows
- Satellite data analysis
- Machine learning for environmental prediction
Field Track (Community Science Kits)
- Mosquito habitat sampling
- Species identification
- Uploading real data to NASA GLOBE
NEW: App Improvement Track
- Front-end & back-end improvements for the GLOBE Observer app
- Accessibility, UX, APIs, and documentation
- Teams will submit an App Improvement Brief to NASA GLOBE leadership
Sample Challenge Themes
- Map mosquito risk on UF campus
- Visualize land cover change over time
- Build dashboards integrating satellite and ground data
- Create community-friendly environmental infographics
Schedule
8:00–8:45 AM — Check-in, breakfast, kit distribution
8:45–9:00 AM — Welcome remarks
9:00–9:45 AM — Keynote: Dr. Rusty Low
9:45–10:30 AM — Keynote: Dr. Peder Nelson
10:30–12:00 PM — Track-based workshops
12:00–1:00 PM — Lunch
1:00–4:00 PM — Hackathon work + optional field sampling
4:00–4:30 PM — Snacks + mentor check-in
4:30–6:00 PM — Final sprint & visualization
6:00–7:00 PM — Team presentations & judging
7:00–7:45 PM — Awards & closing
7:45–8:00 PM — Cleanup & kit return
Who Should Attend
- UF undergraduate and graduate students
- Community members from Gainesville and surrounding areas
- Anyone interested in environmental data, public health, mapping, or citizen science
This event is designed to be welcoming, interdisciplinary, and accessible.
Hands-On Kits & Field Data
Participants will use SciStarter Mapping Mosquito Habitats kits, available for checkout in advance and distributed during the event. Data collected before and during the hackathon will directly feed into project tracks and NASA GLOBE datasets.
After the Event
All participants will be invited to complete a short post-event survey to share what they learned and help improve future EMERGE programs.
Want to Bring This to Your Community?
This hackathon builds on the successful EMERGE Hackathon & Data Visualization Contest previously held with libraries and community partners across Florida. Event resources, curriculum, and planning materials are available for groups interested in hosting similar programs.
Event Details at a Glance
Date: January 31, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: Marston Science Library, Room L136, University of Florida
Registration: Hosted on the EMERGE website
Contact
Dr. Caroline Nickerson
Executive Director, Florida Community Innovation
Communications Lead, EMERGE
caroline.nickerson@floridainnovation.org
407-562-7793
