GeoEMERGE

EMERGE NASA Data Hackathon at the University of Florida

January 31, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Marston Science Library (Room L136), University of Florida

Presented by the University of Florida GeoDI Lab, SciStarter, and Florida Community Innovation — with support from NASA and UF Libraries.

Register today with this form!

Can’t make it in-person? Register for the virtual option with Land Cover scientist Peder Nelson! Use the same form, linked above.

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

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

10:30–12:00 PM — Check-in, breakfast, kit distribution, 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
4:30–5:30 PM — Final sprint, awards, closing

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 (email info@floridainnovation.org to request a kit!) 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: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Marston Science Library, Room L136, University of Florida
Register here!

Contact

Dr. Caroline Nickerson
Executive Director, Florida Community Innovation
Communications Lead, EMERGE
caroline.nickerson@floridainnovation.org
407-562-7793