Neighborhood Science: Working Locally to Confront Global Challenges

Join this fast-paced webinar to learn how libraries are working at the forefront of citizen science; the connection between NASA climate change science, citizen science observations, and mosquito-borne disease; how the international GLOBE Mission Mosquito citizen science campaign is providing a common language and approach for meeting the global challenge to ensure good health for all from mosquito-borne diseases; and examples of resources and partnerships that public, academic, and research libraries can leverage.

Presenters

L to R: Vivienne Byrd, Russanne (Rusty) Low, Theresa Schwerin
L to R: Vivienne Byrd, Russanne (Rusty) Low, Theresa Schwerin

Vivienne Byrd  is the Librarian III at Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). With 18 years of experience in the areas of public library programming and community engagement and outreach, she leads the LAPL Full STEAM Ahead Initiative and Neighborhood Science initiatives. Vivienne currently serves as a library advisor for NASA’s Eclipse Ambassadors Off the Paths project.

Russanne (Rusty) Low, PhD , is a climate scientist and educator at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies who works at the forefront of citizen science and its application for mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, West Nile virus, and dengue. She is the science lead for the GLOBE Mosquito Habitat Mapper and GLOBE Mission Mosquito. Using a free mobile app, citizen scientists of all ages and community health professionals can work together with NASA scientists to reduce the outbreak of mosquito-borne disease in their community.

Theresa Schwerin is IGES Vice President for education programs. She leads the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative, which is a partnership between IGES and the Earth sciences at three NASA Centers: Goddard Space Flight Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Langley Research Center. NESEC provides opportunities for lifelong learners to participate in NASA Earth science.  Ms. Schwerin has an MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science). She fosters innovative collaborations to bring Earth observations to formal and informal education and is working with libraries to engage their communities in citizen science.

Series Organizers